US put first points on the board (1st Lead)

By Peter Auf der Heyde Oct 4, 2010, 13:16 GMT

Newport, Wales - The US grabbed the first two points at the Ryder Cup on Monday as Dustin Johnson and Steve Stricker cut the European lead to just one point.

However, Ian Poulter then managed to put a first point on the board for Europe at the Celtic Manor Resort course in Newport, Wales, with a 5&4 win against Matt Kuchar to make the score 10.5-8.5.

Johnson had a surprisingly easy match against PGA champion Martin Kaymer, winning 6&4, while Stricker beat European captain Colin Montgomerie's top pick Lee Westwood 2&1.

Johnson, who had failed to pick up a single point in his previous matches at the competition, which sees a 12-man European team take on a US team, played far too consistent for the German as he played the first 10 holes to par.

His birdie on the 11th started a four-birdie streak, which saw him close out the game on the 14th hole.

Johnson, who thought he had qualified for a three-way play-off for the PGA championship against Kaymer and Bubba Watson, but was penalized a shot after grounding his club in a bunker and then saw Kaymer go on to win his first major, said he was happy with his game throughout the competition.

'I have been hitting the ball well all week, but things were just not happening for me, but when I got one on the 11th today, they just continued rolling in from there,' he said.

The ever-popular Westwood looked strong against Stricker for much of the game but a bogey on the 12th and a double-bogey on the next one saw things turn around and when the American hit an eagle on the 15th, the match was all-over bar the shouting and Stricker closed it our on the 17th with a par-3.

'It feels really good, but there is a long way to go. I was sent out to get a point and that is what I did, so it feels good,' the American said.

Poulter completely dominated US rookie Kuchar throughout their game and played four birdies and one eagle in the first 14 holes.

'It was massively important to put our first point on board. I knew it was going to be a tough game, so I am happy that I managed to do so. I will know be going to watch some of the other matches,' Poulter said.

With Europe leading 10.5-8.5 and needing just four points to win the cup for the 11th time (they once retained it with a draw), and leading in five of the other games, they look on course to win.

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