Europe, with important contributions from rookies Justin Rose, Oliver Wilson and Graeme McDowell, narrowed the US Ryder Cup lead to two points after the morning foursomes at Valhalla Golf Club.
The Europeans won two of the four matches, halved one and lost the other to trail the United States 7-5 going into the afternoon four-ball competition.
The United States, striving to snap Europe's run of three victories in a row and five of the last six, had led by three points after Friday's opening day of play, their biggest advantage going into day two since The Greenbrier in 1979.
"They had their day yesterday and we're here in good spirit and golf's amazing, isn't it," said Europe captain Nick Faldo.
"It's a bumpy road at times to get to a victory. So you come off the road a bit and we're back on the road again now."
Rose and fellow-Briton Ian Poulter led off for Europe and set a positive tone by racing to a five-hole lead after seven on the way to a 4 & 3 win against Americans Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell, who had beaten them 1-up in Friday's foursomes.
Wilson made the most of his first Ryder Cup opportunity, sealing a stunning comeback victory with partner Henrik Stenson over an erratic Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim.
The 28-year-old Briton rolled in a 25-foot, left-to-right curling birdie putt at the 17th, double-pumping his fists and roaring to celebrate victory in a match where the Americans led by four holes after the first six played.
McDowell sank a five-foot birdie putt to win the 18th and earn a half with partner Miguel Angel Jimenez from a tight contest against Texans Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan, who had won both their matches together on Friday.
Jimenez set the Irishman up with a brilliant sand shot, after Leonard had put the Americans ahead at 17 with a big-breaking birdie putt.
The lone American bright spot on a humid, cloudy day came from local favourite Kenny Perry and Jim Furyk, who defeated British Open and PGA champion Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson 3 & 1 in the last match of the morning session.