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Faldo puts Westwood, Garcia on the bench
2008-09-20
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood were benched for Saturday's Ryder Cup matches by European captain Nick Faldo, suggesting it's never too early to reach for the panic button. The surprise move marked the first time both stars, the longest-serving members on the European team, will miss a match in their Ryder Cup careers. Westwood has played in 27 consecutive matches, going unbeaten in his last dozen to tie a record held by American Arnold Palmer. Garcia has appeared in 22 straight. Faldo wasn't asked about his decision to sit both in the morning round because the pairings weren't announced until after he left the interview room Friday evening with his team trailing 5 1/2-2 1/2. It was the first time a U.S. team held the first-day lead since 1995, and the largest cushion established by an American side since 1979, when players from continental Europe joined the competition. Before the pairings were announced, Faldo may have dropped a hint that Westwood might sit out. "Well, Lee is a very strong character here," Faldo said. "He produces great tee shots when they're needed, great shots, great putts. I mean, he thrives on it, and like all the guys, he's done a grand day's work." A moment later, he aqdded, "You'll probably see from the pairings a few changes because we need some fresh legs for tomorrow." U.S. captain Paul Azinger followed his European counterpart into the interview room, saying, "I'm not going to justify why Nick Faldo does what he does. I'm sure he's confident in the guys he put out there. ... I respect everybody on their team. I know what they're capable of, and what's on paper doesn't mean anything to anybody." Both Garcia and Westwood played twice Friday, and a European tour spokesman said neither reported any injuries. Westwood paired with Garcia for a half-point in the alternate-shot morning match, then joined Dane Soren Hansen in the afternoon for a half-point in the better-ball competition. "I would rather have two wins to my name today," Westwood said about tying Palmer's record in his sixth appearance at the matches. "Individual records really are just something that happen at Ryder Cup. It's all about the team, really." Garcia had won eight straight matches until he halved the morning match against Kenny Perry and Jim Furyk. The Spaniard teamed with countryman Miguel Angel Jimenez in the afternoon and was beaten by Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan. Garcia and Westwood have a 27-5-8 record playing together in alternate-shot and better-ball matches. Faldo did give Englishman Oliver Wilson, the only European to sit out Friday, a chance to play Saturday morning. He'll team with Henrik Stenson of Sweden against the U.S. duo of Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim in the next-to-last alternate-shot match. The opening match pits the English duo of Ian Poulter and Justin Rose against Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell, followed by Jimenez and Irishman Graeme McDowell against Leonard and Mahan. Padraig Harrington, the Irishman and British Open and PGA champion, will team with Swede Robert Karlsson in the morning's final game. Both Garcia and Westwood are likely to be back in Europe's team for the afternoon better-ball matches.
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