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LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Ryder Cup rookie Anthony Kim made the most of a lead-off assignment in Sunday's singles by thumping Sergio Garcia 5&4 to get the U.S. team off to a roaring start in their drive to win back the trophy.

"I got chills up my spine the whole day and I'm loving every minute of it," said the 23-year-old Kim. "I wouldn't trade this for $10 million."

The Americans ended Europe's run of three wins in a row, the last two by lopsided margins, when Jim Furyk secured a 2&1 victory against Miguel Angel Jimenez for the first U.S. Ryder Cup triumph since 1999.

Kim, youngest player on the U.S. team, put the hosts on track with birdies at three of the first four holes of his match against the Spaniard. Taking advantage of some shaky play by Garcia, he grabbed a 3-up after seven and was never headed.