Ian Poulter and Justin Rose lead Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods by one up at the turn in their Ryder Cup foursomes match.
The Europeans could not take advantage of a wayward first drive from Woods, which he sent to the left of the fairway, near the hospitality area.
It was strikingly reminiscent of his tee shot at the K Club in 2006, which he dumped into the water.
The Americans could only card a bogey on the second hole, which handed Europe the lead in the final match.
Poulter hit a wild tee shot of his own on the third, which enabled the Americans to draw level immediately.
Woods looked completely out of sorts and he fluffed a bunker shot at the fifth. It did not cost his team any further, as Poulter's chip just failed to make it over a ridge on the green.
Rose was unable to get it in the hole and the score remained in favour of Europe by one hole.
However, Woods missed a putt on the sixth green that saw Europe extend their lead to two up.
He made up for it on the next hole by leaving Stricker inches from the hole with a delightful approach shot. Stricker tapped in the reduce the deficit to one.
Rose had the chance to hit back on the eighth green, but he could not convert. Stricker found the greenside bunker on the ninth, but Woods hit a superb recovery.
That, coupled with Poulter's missed putt from 25 feet, ensured that the Americans trail by just one hole heading onto the back nine.
