Bradley's birdies help US square match with Europe

Americans Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley were all square through nine holes against Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia in the morning alternate shot matches at the 39th Ryder Cup. Bradley made a pair of birdie putts on the front as he and Mickelson started strong for the USA by winning the second hole to go one-up. On the par-three 192 yard second, Mickelson placed his tee shot on the green giving Bradley the birdie chance. Bradley, who is playing in his first Ryder Cup, curled a putt to the right then pumped his fist as the birdie falled. Garcia and Donald, who are undefeated as a pair in Ryder Cup play, going 4-0, came storming back to win back-to-back holes on five and six. They won the fifth and squared the match when Mickelson missed his putt to the left. This is Mickelson's record ninth-consecutive Ryder Cup appearance for the USA. Donald saved par on the sixth to give Europe their first lead of the match. In 2011 Donald became the first player to lead both the USPGA Tour and the PGA European Tour in earnings in the same season. Bradley got the fist pump going again on the ninth as he drained an eight foot birdie putt to win the hole after Donald barely missed his birdie chance.