Great Britain and Ireland trailed the United States by one point at the end of the first day of the Walker Cup.

GB&I won the morning foursomes 3-1 at Cypress Point in California but were beaten 5½-2½ in the afternoon singles to leave the overall score 6½-5½.

The visitors made a strong start to the 50th edition of the Walker Cup – a Ryder Cup-style contest between the leading amateurs from Great Britain & Ireland and the US – claiming victory in the first three foursomes (alternate shot) matches.

The pairings of Connor Graham and Tyler Weaver, Charlie Forster and Luke Poulter, and Eliot Baker and Stuart Grehan, each won before team-mates Cameron Adam and Dominic Clemons were beaten.

However, the US fought back in the singles as they won five of eight matches, including Mason Howell beating Poulter, who is the son of Ryder Cup legend Ian, 3&2.

“The standard of golf has been exceptional,” said GB&I captain Dean Robertson.

“[In the] afternoon the Americans played fantastic. The sportsmanship out there was exemplary. The weather was tremendous.

“It was a brilliant day – we just fell short on a few putts and things went the other way.

“If we’d holed a couple more, things might be a little bit different. However, [I’m] exceptionally proud of the way that the team performed.”

Sunday’s second and final day will involve four foursomes matches before the players face off in 10 singles matches. The US need 13 points to retain the trophy while GB&I need 13½ to regain it.

GB&I have not won the Walker Cup since 2015, while their last away victory came 24 years ago.