Imperative we start well says Europe captain Thomas Bjorn

There was no way back for Europe at Hazeltine two years ago after they suffered a 4-0 whitewash in the opening session. That shocker led Darren Clarke, the captain, to send out what Justin Rose has since described as some “Hail Mary pairings” to try to retrieve the situation and, although the visitors rallied to win the afternoon fourballs, they eventually succumbed 17-11 as the Americans claimed a first victory in the event since 2008.