Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood cruised to a dominant win over Collin Morikawa and Harris English during Friday's foursomes.
For many, 'Fleetwood Mac' were Europe's headline pairing and they didn't disappoint.
The duo took the lead on the first and didn't let their opponents back into the match, sealing a 5&4 win on the 14th.
I think when you've got a partner like Tommy you can play with such freedom in your game and you know he's going to back you up
~ Rory McIlroy speaking after his foursomes victory on Friday afternoon
Imperious on paper, it is clear that the McIlroy-Fleetwood partnership is every bit as good in practice.
Good friends away from the course, this isn't the duo's first time playing together in a Ryder Cup setting. In 2023, they combined to good effect around Marco Simone, winning both of their foursome matches 2&1.
Whilst both of those victories were impressive, the events of Friday showed them to be wholly superior to their US counterparts.
Tied holes on two and three preceded a European rampage with McIlroy and Fleetwood reeling off a hat-trick of victories on holes four, five and six.
Another half on seven was only followed by another win for the Europeans before Morikawa and English notched their only victory of the round on nine.
This failed to turn the tide in team USA's favour, however, as McIlroy and Fleetwood clinched another win on 12 before sealing the deal on 14, the Englishman only needing to halve the hole to bring home a brilliant win.
Attentions will now turn to the afternoon session where Luke Donald will select eight players to compete in fourballs.
In 2023, McIlroy was sent out with Matt Fitzpatrick, delivering a point for Europe with a commanding 5&3 win over Morikawa and Xander Schauffele.
Europe are now odds-on favourites to retain the Ryder Cup after an impressive start to the opening day.
Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.
