Faldo drops Garcia and Westwood as Europe trails

Europe will have to create history to claim an unprecedented fourth straight Ryder Cup victory after going into the second day at Valhalla trailing by three points.

And they will amazingly try to do so without their two most successful players after captain Nick Faldo left Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood out of the foursomes.

Garcia is unbeaten in the format with eight victories and yesterday’s half with Westwood, and the duo have been joint top points scorers in each of the last two contests.

Westwood did joke “I’m getting too old for 36 holes in one day” after a brilliant performance over the closing holes snatched a half with Soren Hansen in the fourballs.

But he and Garcia had each played in every session of their cup careers until today (27 consecutive matches for Westwood and 22 for Garcia), and Faldo’s move represents an extraordinary gamble with his side seeking to come back from a three-point deficit after the opening day for the first time.

Opposite number Paul Azinger was in the middle of a press conference when he was handed the pairings and could not hide a smile, although he was diplomatic when asked about the duo’s omission.

“I’m not going to justify why Nick Faldo does what he does,” Azinger said. “I will let him answer that question. I’m sure he is confident in the guys he puts out and they look pretty strong to me.”

After winning Friday’s foursomes 3-1, Azinger had the simple decision to keep faith in the same four pairings, although he did change the order.

Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell went out first instead of Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim, taking on Europe’s only winners so far in Ian Poulter and Justin Rose.

Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan, winners of two points yesterday, were in the second match against Miguel Angel Jimenez and Graeme McDowell, with Mickelson and Kim taking on Henrik Stenson and rookie Oliver Wilson, the Englishman making his first appearance.

The final match pitted Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry with Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson, who blew a three-hole lead with six to play against Mickelson and Kim in Friday’s opening match.

Perhaps wisely, Faldo spoke to the press before the pairings were revealed and said: “I’m very proud of my team, that was a great last hour of golf.

“To get half a point in the last match was really great for team morale. We are down in points but not in team spirit.

“I know every single man gave 100% on every single shot and the guys are still extremely up. They played some awesome golf.”

Draw for the second day foursomes at the Ryder Cup later today:

(USA names first, USA lead 5 1/2-2 1/2 overnight, all times Irish)

1305 Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell v Ian Poulter and Justin Rose

1320 Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan v Miguel Angel Jimenez and Graeme McDowell

1335 Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim v Henrik Stenson and Oliver Wilson

1350 Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry v Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson