Rose and Stenson sizzle

Gleneagles - Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson of Europe made it three wins in a row for their pairing by defeating Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar 3 and 2 in the first of Saturday's fourballs at the Ryder Cup.

That victory, which featured 10 birdies in a row for the winners from the seventh, stretched Europe's 5-3 overnight lead to three points.

Amid reports that Stenson was struggling with a "tight" back, Kuchar gave the Americans the perfect start with a winning birdie at the first.

Rose replied in kind at the second, but Watson regained the advantage for his side at the next hole.

A 10-footer for birdie at the par-3 sixth made it 2-up for the Americans.

But a tentative-looking Stenson got on the board with his first birdie at the seventh and when Rose sunk a snaking 15-footer at the eighth, it was back to all square.

The European team then kept up the pressure with back-to-back birdies from Stenson and Rose giving them a two-hole lead after 13.

Watson and Kuchar were in fine form, but Rose and Stenson were imperious.

They sealed their unbeaten record at 3-0 when neither of the Americans could reach the par-5 green in three and Rose took advantage with yet another birdie.

Results after Saturday's morning fourball matches at the 40th Ryder Cup:

Europe 6 1/2 United States 5 1/2
Justin Rose/Henrik Stenson (Europe) bt Bubba Watson/Matt Kuchar (USA) 3 and 2
Jim Furyk/Hunter Mahan (USA) bt Jamie Donaldson/Lee Westwood (Europe) 4 and 3
Patrick Reed/Jordan Spieth (USA) bt Thomas Bjorn/Martin Kaymer (Europe) 5 and 3
Rory McIlroy/Ian Poulter (Europe) halved with Jimmy Walker/Rickie Fowler (USA)

Friday Foursomes
Jamie Donaldson/Lee Westwood (Europe) bt Jim Furyk/Matt Kuchar (USA) 2-up
Justin Rose/Henrik Stenson (Europe) bt Hunter Mahan/Zach Johnson (USA) 2 and 1
Rory McIlroy/Sergio Garcia (Europe) halved with Jimmy Walker/Rickie Fowler (USA)
Victor Dubuisson/Graeme McDowell (Europe) bt Phil Mickelson/Keegan Bradley (USA) 3 and 2

Friday Fourballs
Justin Rose/Henrik Stenson (Europe) bt Bubba Watson/Webb Simpson (USA) 5 and 4
Jordan Spieth/Patrick Reed (USA) bt Stephen Gallacher/Ian Poulter (Europe) 5 and 4
Thomas Bjorn/Martin Kaymer (Europe) halved with Rickie Fowler/Jimmy Walker (USA)
Keegan Bradley/Phil Mickelson (USA) bt Sergio Garcia/Rory McIlroy (Europe) 1-up