SHOCKED European golf fans were left scratching their heads after captain Nick Faldo sprang the second major surprise of his reign by leaving out StrokeAverage.com’s highest ranked client Lee Westwood and Spain’s Sergio Garcia of the Saturday morning foursomes.

Europe were already reeling after losing both the foursomes and fourballs on Friday to trail America for the first time since 1995 at Oak Hill, when Europe went on to overturn the 5-3 deficit with Nick Faldo overcoming Curtis Strange on the last in New York to set up the win for Irishman Philip Walton.

But Nick Faldo explained his shock omission of Lee Westwood – who equaled Arnold Palmer’s record of 12 matches unbeaten by pegging back big-hitting Kentuckian J B Holmes and United States cheer leader Boo Weekley with a last-gasp half on the par five 18th, playing with debutant Soren Hansen, having been two behind on the back nine.

Lee Westwood’s absence was blamed on blisters from his “new Ryder Cup shoes” when Nick Faldo arrived at the course this morning, some 12 hours after the second day foursomes pairings had been posted.

But Nick Faldo admitted that while Sergio Garcia had complained of feeling very tired, having been on antibiotics last week for an undisclosed condition, Lee Westwood had not been keen to sit the third session of the Ryder Cup out.

Nick Faldo, who holds the record for 11 Ryder Cup appearances between 1977 and 1997, said: “This week is a gruelling week on the body. Sergio wanted to be rested. Lee definitely didn't but I wanted him to be. We still have 20 points to play for.”

Sergio Garcia had maintained his unbeaten record in foursomes playing with Lee Westwood in the morning, coming back from two down to rescue a half from their match against Jim Furyk and the other Kentucky golfer in Paul Azinger’s team.

The Euiropean pair were two down with three to play after Sergio Garcia surprisingly hit a wedge into the water at 15 after the lead had see-sawed back and fourth.

Lee Westwood, ranked number 12 in the world, saved par at the 17th to keep the match alive and with the 35-year-old Notts golfer saw his two-footer for a birdie four at the last conceded by the Yanks after Jim Furyk missed his par putt after Kenny Perry found the lake off the tee.

That left Paul Azinger’s troops with a two point lead at lunch after rookie Anthony Kim and world number two Phil Mickelson had come from three down early on to halve with Padraig Harrington, winner of the Open and USPGA this year, and Swede Robert Karlsson.

Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell also found themselves three down early on to debutant Justin Rose and Ian Poulter, who looked to have repaid Faldo’s faith in opting for the garish dresser over the claims of Darren Clarke, veteran of four winning European teams in his five appearances.

But the great English friends crumbled on the back nine and lost on the last as they three putted to gift the Americans a point.

Rookie Hunter Mahan, playing with Justine Leonard, who had yet to win in eight Ryder Cup matches, had also been behind early against Henrik Stenson, playing with Nick Faldo’s other pick Paul Casey.

But the pair, who looked a better fourball than foursomes combination, could not answer a birdie barrage as Hunter Mahan made a mockery of his comments at the USPGA about players being treated like slaves at the Ryder Cup as they tied up the match at 3 and 2.

The 26-year-old former US college champion was all smiles in the afternoon as he continued his winning partnership, this time taking out Sergio Garcia, who was reunited with his fellow countryman Miguel Angel Jimenez, 4 and 3 after Justin Leonard chipped in from the back of the 15th to win 4 adn 3.

Justin Rose and Ian Poulter made up for their morning heartache beating US rookies Ben Curtis and Steve Stricker 4 and 2 in a rare exhibition of European domination.

Anthony Kim and Phil Mickelson came back from three down for the second time in the day against Padraig Harrington, who was paired with StrokeAverage.com client Graeme McDowell on his debut in the afternoon fourballs.

And the volume was cranked up appreciably as Anthony Kim followed up a superb birdie two at the 14th to make a par at the last to win the match by two.

Graeme McDowell, a two-time winner this season, started superbly with a brilliant pitch at the fourth to put the Europeans three up but the Stars and Stripes side were charging after the turn and only a succession of clutch putts from Padraig Harrington kept the Americans at bay for so long.

It left Nick Faldo reeling after his run-ins with the press during practice the pents were being sharpened should Europe falter today. As the Americans surged into their biggest first day lead since 1979.

Golf article end.