Westwood and García Axed By Anxious Captain

The Europe captain, Nick Faldo, last night reacted to his side's poor first day by omitting Lee Westwood and Sergio García from this morning's foursomes pairings. It will be the first time the Spaniard, who took half a point from his two matches yesterday, or the Englishman have missed a session of play in the Ryder Cup since they made their debuts in 1997 and 1999 respectively.

The move is a huge gamble by Faldo. García has never lost any of his nine Ryder Cup foursomes matches, while Westwood yesterday tied Arnold Palmer's record of 12 successive Ryder Cup matches without defeat. Faldo claimed tired bodies were the reason for the changes after his team were on the wrong end of a surprising 5½-2½ scoreline in yesterday's opening exchanges.

"We lost a few points today but we haven't lost any spirit," he said. "There will be no change to our strategy going into tomorrow, although you'll probably see some personnel changes because we need a few fresh legs. The Americans threw a great first day at us but our boys will be ready for a great day tomorrow."

Faldo said the half-point that Westwood and Soren Hansen secured on the final hole against Boo Weekley and JB Holmes could be crucial, although Westwood was unimpressed by Weekley's attempts to gee up the crowd during their match.

"It was quite boisterous, you could say that," said Westwood. "You walk a fine line when you use the crowd to your advantage that way. You can do it by playing good golf, but you can go too far when you are waving your arms around. At the 13th hole I still had a putt for a half – there's no need to do it between shots, at least wait until you're walking off the green, I don't mind that. The game was slow enough as it was. I thought we were never going to get finished."

Faldo refused to criticize Weekley and the American crowd. "He's such a nice guy," Faldo said. "I don't hold anything against him. We heard they [Paul Azinger and the United States team] were out on the streets of Louisville running up the whole 13th man thing last night. That's fine."

Europe won only one of the opening day's eight matches, an unexpectedly low return which Faldo put down to the excellent play of the Americans rather than any deficiency in his own team. "This event produces spectacular golf," he said. "It takes golfers to levels they've only dreamed of before. They played exceptional golf, but it was still a great experience. I know every man has given 100% on every single shot. I've been there before but this is the way it turned out on this particular day. Both sides are keen and here to win – that determination and never-give-in attitude is part of the Ryder Cup."

Europe's sole victory was provided by Ian Poulter and Justin Rose, who will play together for the third time in this morning's foursomes. Their opponents will be Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell, the Americans who beat them in yesterday's foursomes. Following Cink and Campbell will be Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan, who will be looking to build on their 100% record against Miguel Angel Jimenez and Graeme McDowell.

Oliver Wilson will make his Ryder Cup debut in the third match out, partnering Henrik Stenson. Their task is a daunting one against the in-form duo of Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim, while Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry will renew acquaintances in the final match, as will Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson – two pairs that played together in yesterday's foursomes.