After having a shaky day on Friday, Tiger Woods will sit out a Ryder Cup session for the first time in his career.
Woods lost both his matches with Steve Stricker on the first day of the tournament, although the United States took an early lead 5-3 over Europe.
"We just don't want guys to be worn out," said U.S. captain Davis Love III. "We need Tiger and Steve in the afternoon (Saturday). We need Tiger and Steve on Sunday (in singles)."
Woods has played 31 straight sessions at the Ryder Cup.
"There is so much that goes into this week. ... I think Tiger needs a rest, Steve needs a rest, I need a rest. It's a team effort, and Tiger and Steve are very supportive friends of mine," Love said. "They told me they would do whatever I asked them to do, and I guarantee you, neither one of them are very happy about it. Not because they are sitting out, but because they have to wait until tomorrow afternoon to come back."
Woods was not sharp on Friday, hitting only two of seven fairways and shooting over par against Ian Poulter and Justin Rose in alternate-shot play. Woods missed wide on a drive on the first hole and missed a chance at a birdie putt on the 18th that would have halved the match for the Americans.
"I didn't play very good this morning at all," Woods said. "I was hitting it awful and not doing anything well. But I hit it good this afternoon. I drove it great this afternoon and was in position, but we ran into a guy (Nicolas Colsaerts) who just made absolutely everything."
Stricker and Woods played better in fourball, hitting nine birdies, but lost 1-up to Lee Westwood and Colsaerts.
"We just felt like we don't want anybody to have to play five matches on this golf course," Love said. "It's tough."
The loss dropped Woods to 13-16-2 in his seven Ryder Cup appearances. Woods played strong throughout the afternoon session, hitting seven birdies, but it still wasn't enough.
"Quite frankly, he beat us by himself," Woods said of Colsaerts.
Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradly have played stellar at the Ryder Cup so far and may play all five matches. On Saturday the two tied a record for the most lopsided score in an 18-hole team match, winning 7-and-6 over Lee Westwood and Luke Donald.
"We've had so much fun," Mickelson said. "The crowd has provided so much energy, and it's brought our best golf out."
The win gave the U.S. a 6-3 lead at the Cup.
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