What he said: Quotes day 1 of the 2014 Ryder Cup

Rory McIlroy

“We needed that finish. We were making life difficult for ourselves. I don’t think either of us played from the fairways much. But we were three under the last three holes – we just wanted to ask them a question and we were able to do that.

“Sergio had the shot of the day at the last.

“We played to really tough matches and have half a point to show for it.”

Sergio Garcia

“We knew we weren’t playing good. We fought as hard as we could and the half a point is just huge.”

Justin Rose

“When you go out first that’s the position the captain put you in to go and deliver a point. That’s what me and Ice Man came to do today. 

“We got off to a good start and we knew how key that was.”

Henrik Stenson

“I felt like I had a really good solid partner in Justin. We know each other well and had good fun out there and most importantly we delivered.”

Stephen Gallacher

“The first tee was magic, just what I was expecting. The fans were great all the way round. Just a shame we never really got the birdies to compete with them”

Ian Poulter

“We didn’t hole enough putts, that simple. Clearly in this format you have to hole putts – we didn’t do that. They did and it was a point on the board for them.”

Jamie Donaldson

“Wow. It’s quite an experience. My first Ryder Cup, it was just incredible playing with Lee. It’s a battle, we played as well as we could play and it just shows how tough it is in this format and in this great tournament.

“That first tee – it was like a sudden death in a major or something.”

Lee Westwood

“I love it, watching someone take to it like a duck to water. There was no doubt in my mind that Jamie was up to the task. He jus played great out there and never missed a shot.

I had faith in my rookies and I’m so proud of them" – Tom Watson Keegan Bradley

“I try to remind myself that I’m playing alongside one of my idols since I was a kid – Phil Mickelson. How can you get better than this?”

Phil Mickelson

“It’s been a really fun partnership over the last few years. He really picks me up if I’m down and some of those putts were just awesome.”

Jimmy Walker

“It was exciting, exhilarating, heart-breaking. To get this opportunity at 35 is really cool. There were plenty of chills and goosebumps and you just don’t get that in a regular tour event.”

Tom Watson

“I had faith in my rookies and I’m so proud of them. They were upset for not playing in the afternoon. I said, I know you’re mad at me but you’ll be playing tomorrow for sure.”

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