Poulter and Rose lead fightback

12 April 2012

Ian Poulter and Justin Rose got Europe off to the perfect start on day two with an impressive 4&3 win over Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell in the foursomes.

The English duo made a powerful start and were five up after seven and although the USA fought back to within two, they could not stave off defeat.

Shortly after, Henrik Stenson and Oliver Wilson defeated Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim 2&1. Miguel Angel Jimenez and Graeme McDowell earned their team half a point but Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson were beaten 3&1 by Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry, leaving Europe two adrift.

Poulter, a controversial wild card selection, said: "When we saw the pairing we thought 'Let's get out there and finish the business from yesterday'. It was awesome out there today."

Rose added: "We had exactly the same situation as yesterday, we had a big lead and started to fritter it away.

"It's amazing how tense you get and you can't see yourself winning another hole but the experience of yesterday paid off."

There were a few worrying moments when the pair lost the 13th, but Poulter then holed a vital 15ft par putt on the next to win the hole, pumping his fist as captain Nick Faldo applauded from beside the green.

And the match was over on the 15th when the Americans found trouble off the tee and water with their second.