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Saturday, 29 September 2012

Tiger Rested for Saturday Foursomes

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Tiger Woods will not play in Saturday morning's Ryder Cup foursomes after being left out by captain Davis Love III.

In doing so, Love became the first United States captain to put Woods on the bench in either the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup.

After two opening-day defeats for the fourth time in his Ryder Cup career Woods was told he would not be playing in the second day's morning foursomes.

It was no great surprise when the news came. Woods had been comfortably the worst player of the 16 who appeared for the opening session at Medinah, the course where he lifted the USPGA title in 1999 and 2006.

He and Steve Stricker, also left out as the Americans try to build on a 5-3 overnight advantage, were three over par in losing 2&1 to Ian Poulter and Justin Rose.

They were then beaten on the last by Lee Westwood and inspired debutant Nicolas Colsaerts, but Woods found form in that and so can be expected to return to action in the second session of fourballs on Saturday afternoon.

"We felt we did not need anybody to have to play five matches," Love said. "It's a big, long, tough golf course and we just don't want guys to be worn out."

The foursomes see a rematch of the opening game in which Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell beat Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker on the last, but this time they are in the anchor role.

Colsaerts is rewarded for his staggering eight-birdie and one-eagle display by partnering Sergio Garcia in the foursomes against Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson.

Westwood switches to partner Luke Donald against unbeaten Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley, while Rose and Poulter go off first against Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson.

Europe give Paul Lawrie, Peter Hanson, Martin Kaymer and Francesco Molinari a second rest.

Full Saturday foursomes line-ups 

1320 Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson v Justin Rose and Ian Poulter
1335 Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson v Lee Westwood and Luke Donald
1350 Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson v Nicolas Colsaerts and Sergio Garcia
1405 Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker v Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell




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