Sam Torrance couldn¿t help but express his delight at the 3-1 result in favour of his players after the opening fourball series against the Americans at the Belfry today.
"Fantastic, we've made a wonderful start. What a morning," was how a typically emotional Torrance addressed the press corps. "The guys were really up for it and the way they all performed was incredible. It's the best start we've made in over 30 years and that really gives us something very positive to build on.
"I'm so proud of the way Thomas (Bjorn) and Darren (Clarke) led from the front - to go out and beat Paul Azinger and the Tiger in the first match was exactly what we were looking for - and they did it with great golf and a lot of style.
As for the performance of Lee Westwood alongside Sergio Garcia, Torrance was glad to be vindicated in selecting the Englishman. "I told you that Lee was right back on form and he and Sergio were brilliant just together."
"And we all know how Colin (Montgomerie) and Bernhard (Langer) thrive in this kind of atmosphere, they were sensational."
Torrance remained upbeat and proud of his only losing combination of the morning, Padraig Harrington and Niclas Fasth. "Niclas was fantastic - it was hard to believe he was a Ryder Cup rookie - and both he and Padraig played fabulously to take the match to the 18th against two guys who were really on their games."
"The quality of golf in all four matches was world class, just what we were expecting with everyone delivering great shots and holing incredible putts. The atmosphere was electric."
"We've waited a year longer for this but after that show out there this morning I'm sure everyone would agree it's been worth the wait," concluded Torrance before setting off in his buggy to follow the progress of his men in the afternoon Foursomes.
At the time of writing Bjorn and Clarke were two up on Scott Verplank and Hal Sutton in the top match after ten holes. Woods and Mark Calcavecchia were one up after nine holes on Garcia and Westwood.
Monty and Langer continued their good form, leading Phil Mickelson and David Toms by one after five while the all-Irish pair of Harrington and Paul McGinley were level with Stuart Cink and Jim Furyk after two holes.