Ryder Cup storylines after day one

The first day of the 2018 Ryder Cup is in the books, and the U.S. has some work to do.

It was a tale of two rounds at France's Le Golf National on Friday.

The Americans roared out of the gate, going 3-1 in the morning fourballs and possibly thinking repeat. However, the Europeans had other ideas and more than just regrouped for the afternoon foursomes (alternate shot). In dominating and historic fashion, Europe swept the four-match session to take a 5-3 lead into Day 2.

The sudden turnaround from morning to afternoon should have the U.S. reeling and captain Jim Furyk searching for answers. In the history of the Ryder Cup (which began in 1927), no team has lost a session 4-0 and gone on to win the Cup.

There is plenty to talk about from Day 1 and to look ahead to Day 2. Here are five storylines to keep in mind following the first day of the 42nd Ryder Cup:

Lefty looks like a liability

There were many who questioned Furyk's decision to select Phil Mickelson for his 12th, and likely, final Ryder Cup. The U.S. captain should be questioned further on why he chose to throw Lefty out for the afternoon foursomes, considering the wind was more of a factor and Mickelson has struggled with his accuracy.

After sitting out the morning session, Mickelson (who entered 5-7-4 in foursomes) teamed with Ryder rookie Bryson DeChambeau and they got hammered 5 & 4 by a rejuvenated Sergio Garcia and Alex Noren. That U.S. pair didn't win a hole until the European duo was already 7 up.

Mickelson won't play Saturday morning and really should sit and watch the entire day.

How healthy is Tiger?

The only blemish during the Americans' morning triumph was Tiger Woods and Ryder standout Patrick Reed losing 3 & 1 to the Europe's Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari. Many wondered how Woods would fare in his first Ryder Cup since 2012.

Well, the early returns were poor.

There also was some suggestion from the European media that Woods' back was acting up, but Furyk, at least publicly, didn't agree and will have Tiger back out with Reed for Saturday's morning fourballs. This definitely will be something to watch as the U.S. looks to their veterans to dig out of the hole.

There's also the question of why Furyk has not yet teamed Woods with DeChambeau, one of the popular pre-Ryder Cup pairings pundits and fans hoped to see.

No Fleet-ing star

With each Ryder Cup comes the berth of the next potential star. The leader in the clubhouse is Fleetwood.

Now, the 27-year-old Englishman is hardly an unfamiliar name to golf fans after placing in the top 5 at the last two U.S. Opens. But after riding a hot putter to help he and Molinari rally by Woods and Reed in Friday's morning match then drop Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth 5 & 4 in the afternoon, he's gaining instant celebrity status.

He's also shown plenty of fire and hardly any nerves for a Ryder rookie.

And if there's another reason to root for Fleetwood, regardless of Ryder Cup allegiance, he managed to fly home for his son's first birthday celebration before again teaming with Molinari for Saturday's four-ball versus Woods and Reed.

Sergio's a star again

A lot of the pre-event focus was on Woods and Mickelson, but Garcia was also under the microscope as a wild-card pick of Europe captain Thomas Bjorn. The popular Spaniard missed the cut at all four majors in 2018, but for the moment, Bjorn's move has paid off.

After sitting out the morning session, Garcia paired with Alex Noren and ripped Mickleson and DeChambeau. Now, Garcia, playing in his ninth Ryder Cup, will join forces with Rory McIlroy, who had an uneven first day, to kick off Day 2 against Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau.

At age 38, it's uncertain if this could be Garcia's final Ryder Cup. He's not thinking about that now, just about trying to earn a fifth Ryder victory.

Does this look familiar?

Could we be headed for a repeat of the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles? It might be too early to tell, but Europe led 5-3 after the first day back then, though the sessions weren't as one-sided as Friday in France.

Four years ago, the U.S. won the morning rounds 2 1/2-1 1/2 before Team Europe took three of the four afternoon matches. The Americans got within a point after Saturday morning, but another big afternoon gave the hosts a four-point lead in which they extended for a 16 1/2-11 1/2 victory.