JUSTIN Rose helped Europe claim their first point of the Ryder Cup despite being stung by a wasp midway through his round.

Rose teamed up with Henrik Stenson to thrash United States duo Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson and 5 and 4 in the morning fourballs.

But the Englishman still got a fright after an unexpected run-in with the Scottish wildlife at the Perthshire course.

Stenson said: "He leaked one down the hazard on the ninth and was stung by a wasp as he was looking for the ball.

"But he was okay. I high fived him right on that stingy bit on the thumb after he made a putt on the 10th.

"He could still continue so I guess he must have been okay."

Former US Open champion Rose admitted the Jack Nicklaus-designed course is playing every one of its 7,243 yards.

Competitors had to battle treacherous high winds on the opening day at the demanding Perthshire venue.

Rose said: "The course is playing hard. Getting birdies is not easy and I was pleased that we were able to take our chances and do that."

The man who beat Phil Mickelson to help Jose Maria Olazabal's side retain the Samuel Ryder Trophy at Medinah in 2012 enjoyed being in the first match out.

He said: "It was a massive rush. It really got the adrenaline pumping.

"We knew we were going to get a fabulous reception and we got that. It is a memory for life. But now we need to focus on the remaining matches and get as many points as we can.

"Momentum can change in an instant in this competition and we have to make sure that we concentrate and keep performing well on the final two days."