Intro:

Reaction from Europe's Rory McIlroy -- who praised team-mate Sergio García -- as well as the verdict of American Phil Mickelson after the opening day of the Ryder Cup.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English) Rory McIlroy, Europe, with Sergio Garcia halved with Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker: (Asked how they achieved comeback in final few holes).

"Yeah, we don't quite know ourselves, I think. Going down 17 we knew what we had to do -- you know, we had to win the last two holes to at least get something out of the day. Sergio hit a great shot into 17, it was probably one of his best swings of the day -- and luckily I was able to hole a 40-footer just to keep the thing going. It was nice to just bring them up the 18th, and again Sergio hit a phenomenal shot into the last there, and, you know, that set up the four and we were able to get a half out of the day. But yeah, it was great to come to back like that and it gives the European team a lot of momentum going into tomorrow."

SOUNDBITE (English) Phil Mickelson, USA:

"Captain (Tom) Watson has a challenge ahead tonight -- and I think we've got to come out, no matter who plays for us, and there's a lot of guys that are playing well -- even though we're two points behind - that we need to play well in the morning."