Before the party. Colsaerts, Graeme McDowell and Peter Hanson before pose at Medinah before heading back to the team hotel. Picture: Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieBig hitter Nicolas Colsaerts was the all-night Ryder Cup party animal after vice-captain Darren Clarke crashed out early after just four glasses of wine.

Keegan Bradley was the star for Davis Love’s US squad. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieRory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell were mown down by Davis Love’s new superstar pairing as the USA moved ominously into a 5-3 lead after the opening day of the Ryder Cup.

Nicolas Colsaerts. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieWildchild turned wildcard Nicolas Colsaerts compared making the Ryder Cup team to coming back from the dead.

Graeme McDowell can take a huge step towards his third Ryder Cup cap if he wins the Volvo World Match Play in Spain today. © Pictures courtesy of Volvo in GolfGraeme McDowell emerged as the hot favourite to claim the Volvo World Match Play Championship when Sergio García three-putted from nowhwere at the first extra hole to send the Portrush man into the last four at Finca Cortesín.