ROME, Italy (AFP) — Europe got off to another fast start on the second day of the Ryder Cup on Saturday, piling the pressure on the United States in the morning foursomes after racking up a record-equaling overnight lead.

Captain Luke Donald said on Friday he wants a "historic week" from Europe, and his team looked poised to extend their 6.5-1.5 advantage earned on an extraordinary first day at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome.

Europe is gunning to reclaim the Ryder Cup lost in a record 19-9 thrashing two years ago at the hands of the USA, which is trying to win on this side of the Atlantic for the first time in 1993.

European captain Donald has opted to switch the usual schedule and open with the alternate shot foursomes instead of fourballs and his team has delivered in style.

The Americans didn't win a single match in a day for the first time and the board was dominated by blue early on Saturday with the first pairing of Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood leading Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas through six holes.

A large and loud crowd have delighted in the performance of the European team, and the players have responded to that passion by putting on a golf clinic that will leave the USA's chances hanging by a thread if it doesn't turn the tide by lunchtime.