SUMMARY:

The Europeans may be massive underdogs to win back the Ryder Cup at The Belfry in September but they outscored and outputted their American rivals on day one at Lytham.

Although the starting line-ups may vary slightly from the 24 players we're following in the Open this week, the message is clear. Europe must not be underestimated.

The Euro 12 dominated the statistical battle on Thursday, averaging over a stroke less than the Americans – 71.17 to 72.50.

Colin Montgomerie led the way with his stunning 65 as seven of the Europeans shot 70 or better. In contrast, only three of the US side broke par.

The Europeans hit more fairways on average with only Phil Price spraying it off the tee. The USA had the most accurate driver in the form of Mark Calcavecchia but only he and Phil Mickelson managed to hit more than nine of the 14 fairways – a feat performed by seven of the Europeans.

The biggest contrast came on the greens and this could be a hugely important factor at the Ryder Cup.

Europe's average of 28.42 putts per round was over a stroke and a half better than their American counterparts.

Monty's 24 putts was slightly freakish for him but six of his teammates took less than 30. On the American side only four players took less than 30 putts and three of their 12 – Tom Lehman, Mark Calcavecchia and Joe Durant – needed 33.

If the Americans have similar problems reading the greens at The Belfry it could be disastrous for them.

The only consolation for the Americans was that they hit marginally more greens on average – 10.92 as opposed to 10.50. Europe had the best iron player in Pierre Fulke who hit 14 greens in the right number.

It's early in the tournament but the signs are looking good for Europe.

They take the honours on day one!

EUROPE

Colin Montgomerie (65): Monty had a superb day at the office as he lead the way with a fantastic opening round. The Scottish star put himself in a fantastic position to finally win that elusive major title he so craves for, with his touch on the greens (24 putts) the main reason for his round of six under par. “I putted very well. Whenever I putt well I have a chance,” said Montgomerie and in hitting 11 out of 14 fairways he was always in good positions to create birdie chances.

Darren Clarke (70): The Ulsterman hit more greens in regulation than most of his Ryder Cup colleagues, along with 11 out of 14 fairways. He made a disastrous start to his opening round taking a double-bogey at the first and it was encouraging to see the cigar smoking Irish man regain his composure for the holes ahead. Something he will certainly need for the forthcoming Ryder Cup battle. “I had lots of birdie chances but the putter wasn't working,” said Clarke with his stats showing that he took 28 putts.

Thomas Bjorn (76): The Danish star had a day to forget after shooting five over par for his opening round. However, we cannot be too critical as he revealed after the completion of his round that he was suffering from flu. Even so he had problems controlling the ball with the majority of shots drifting to the right. He hit just seven fairways out of 14 and only nine greens in regulation. He took 30 putts and never looked like clawing his way back after a triple bogey at the seventh hole.

Lee Westwood (73): The alarm bells are still ringing for many pundits as to the state of Westwood's game, although he thinks: “My games alright and I'm sick of answering questions about my game.” However, he is not playing as well as he would like ahead of the Ryder Cup battle in September and stated that his putting is the problem: “I didn't hole a putt really although I gave myself quite a few good chances.” The stats confirm this with Westwood taking 30 putts in his round – a few too many.

Padraig Harrington (75): The Irish man had a shocking finish to his opening round after being at the top end of the leaderboard after 12 holes. He managed to hit ten out of 14 fairways, but let himself down by hitting only eight greens in regulation. This percentage would be a big weakness at the Belfy in September and with 31 putts taken he was never likely to make too many birdies.

Jose Maria Olazabal (69): It was a good day for the Spaniard after a shooting two under for his opening round. The key to Olazabal's success was his driving which is good news for the European Ryder Cup team in that this is normally his Achilles heel. Today he hit 11 out of 14 fairways and 12 greens in regulation. He was in decent touch around the greens taking 29 putts, in what was a solid all round display.

Pierre Fulke (69): In terms of the Ryder Cup it was great to see Fulke return to form. Over the last few months the Swede has been woefully out of touch and seemed destined to a season of frustration. However, he has been working hard on his game and it showed by the fact he hit 14 greens in regulation. He hit ten out of 14 fairways and in conditions he enjoys playing he gave Sam Torrance a much needed boost.

Sergio Garcia (70): Not a brilliant day for the young Spanish sensation although he will still be pleased to be under par. He will be disappointed to have only hit eight out of 14 fairways and just ten greens in regulation. However he did have a decent day on the greens and although he will look back at some missed birdie putts, he will still be pleased to have only taken 27 putts.

Jesper Parnevik (69): Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance will have been delighted to see Parnevik hit two under par for his opening round. The Swede has already stated he wants to qualify for the team on his own accord and is very happy with the way he's playing. “I'm hitting the ball the way I want to hit it and I'm hitting shots left to right, right to left, high and low,” said Parnevik. The Swede hit 11 out of 14 fairways and the same number of greens in regulation. If he continues to play like that he should have a good week, which could mean so much in terms of the final Ryder Cup standings.

Phillip Price (74): The normally reliable Welshman had an awful day off the tee, hitting just four out of 14 fairways! He never looked comfortable in the conditions and only managed to hit nine greens in regulation. He took 30 putts and much better is required on Friday.

Paul McGinley (69): Another good start for the reliable Irish man with 11 fairways out of 14 hit. He played the course and conditions very well and hit 10 greens in regulation. However, the big worry in terms of looking towards the Ryder Cup was that he missed four putts from under four feet. In the heat of battle one would have to question his nerve – something he will have to work on over the forthcoming weeks.

Andrew Coltart (75): The Scot managed to hit only nine fairways out of eleven, and only eight greens in regulation. His putting was slightly better in that he took 28 putts, but a lack of concentration at certain moments in his round proved costly. This is an area of his game he will have to look at, especially if he is to have a successful Ryder Cup campaign.

USA

Tiger Woods (71): A quiet day for the world number one and a reminder that he is beatable on any given day. “I did not really hit the ball the way I wanted to today,” said Woods and his stats supported that as he hit just eight fairways out of 14 and just nine greens in regulation. He found his touch on the greens coming in and will be pleased to have taken only 27 putts.

Phil Mickelson (70): Lefty hit more fairways than most of his Ryder Cup colleagues despite not being regarded as the straightest of hitters and also hit 11 greens. Despite converting back-to-back eagle chances at 6 and 7 he still tallied 29 putts – a few too many.

David Duval (69): Duval birdied all three par fives in a pleasing opening round. Despite hitting just seven fairways, he found the green in the right number 12 times, which was impressive. But his putting could still prove his Achilles heel in the tension of a Ryder Cup. Today he took 30 putts, six more than leader Colin Montgomerie.

Davis Love (73): Love struggled off the tee, hitting just seven fairways and even though he was often able to find the green (11 in regulation) his putter was cold. He was one of five of the American 12 to take 31 putts or more and that could prove a telling statistic at the Belfry.

Scott Hoch (75): Hoch's dislike for the British Open is well documented and his first round here won't have changed his opinion that he doesn't like cold, windy conditions. The Belfry in September is not likely to be a whole lot better. Surprisingly for such a straight hitter Hoch's driving was askew as he hit only eight fairways. Hitting nine greens and taking 31 putts all added up to a lacklustre 75.

Tom Lehman (75): Not a happy return to Lytham for the 1996 Open champion. His driving was wayward with just half the 14 fairways hit and even though he proved he is one of the best iron players around by hitting 12 greens he had a miserable time with the putter, taking 33 strokes.

Jim Furyk (77): An extraordinary day for the man with the loopy swing as he took an amazing 10 at the par five 11th. A mighty blemish like that wouldn't hurt him in a Ryder Cup situation of course and looking beyond his 11th hole disaster his play from tee to green was decent with nine fairways and 10 greens hit. 30 putts suggests that he wasn't too happy with the short stick.

Mark Calcavecchia (72): Calc had superb tee-to-green stats as he found 12 of 14 fairways and hit 13 greens. But 33 putts turned what could have been a great round into a mediocre one and he will have to improve his performance considerably on the Belfry greens.

Joe Durant (75): “I just didn't make the putts,” said Durant and that summed up his round. Despite giving himself opportunities by hitting 11 greens and nine fairways, Durant didn't take advantage and had 33 putts in his four-over-par round.

Brad Faxon (68): The best round of the day amongst the US Ryder Cup players helped Faxon take the early clubhouse lead. It was pretty typical Faxon with his putter paving the way for his three-under-par total. His 27 putts was matched only by Tiger in the American squad and nine fairways and 10 greens is about par for the course.

David Toms (74): A pretty mediocre day for the man who came fourth at St Andrews last year. He hit a decent number of greens (11) but eight fairways and 30 putts suggests he wasn't firing on all cylinders.

Stewart Cink (71): Putting wise he was joint best of the Americans taking just 27 putts. However, he wasn't as accurate as normal off the tee hitting just eight fairways out of 14, although he did manage to pick the percentage up for greens in regulation, hitting 11.