Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia defeated Americans Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan 3 and 2 in the second of the Saturday afternoon foursomes at the Ryder Cup.
McIlroy and Spain’s Garcia played both opening day sessions on Friday, losing their fourballs and halving their foursomes.
The Northern Irishman was playing for the fourth straight session, having partnered Ian Poulter to a halve against Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker earlier in the day. Garcia sat out the fourballs.
The European pair were 2-up after two holes before a bogey at the third pegged them back.
Furyk and Mahan, winners in the morning over Lee Westwood and Jamie Donaldson, had their chances to get back to parity, but it stayed 1-up to the home team through to the 14th when McIlroy sunk a vital birdie putt.
Two holes later, it was all over as another McIlroy birdie saw off the American challenge.
The win helped Europe to a commanding 10-6 lead heading into Sunday closing 12 singles.