- Team USA's preparation was branded "disgraceful" after their poor start to the tournament.
- Andrew Coltart questioned some of the team's decisions to take five weeks off before the event.
Team USA were slammed for their "disgraceful" preparation for the Ryder Cup after Team Europe took a commanding lead at the end of day one.
Scottish professional golfer and pundit Andrew Coltart, who competed in the 1999 Ryder Cup where he faced off against Tiger Woods in a singles matchup, was astounded at some of the US team's decisions to take five weeks off before the competition.
"I have a massive question about — and Zach Johnson's gonna get hit with this right now — who on earth in their right mind thinks the best way to prepare for a Ryder Cup is to take five weeks off," he said while working as a pundit for Sky Sports News.
"Nine of the 12 American players took five weeks off. That's disgraceful," he added.
Team Europe came flying out of the blocks at Rome's Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, sweeping the morning session 4-0 for the first time and winning a tighter afternoon session 2.5-1.5 to end the day up a commanding 6.5-1.5.
"It was sensational, a dream start for us. This morning was an amazing performance by the guys, and this afternoon was tough," Europe captain Luke Donald told BBC Sport.
"The US came back. We knew they would. They had a stretch there in the middle where the momentum was turning their way, but man, did we turn it back," he added.
But English professional golfer David Howell said that while he thought the US side had been "humbled," it was still early in the competition and the US's "top class" team was unlikely to be as poor on day two.
"They've been humbled today, and they won't like that," he said. "They'll come out roaring tomorrow."
The prestigious biennial competition, first held in 1927, pitches 24 of the best players from Europe and the United States against each other in match-play events.
Team USA has won the competition 27 times.