United States captain Davis Love III insists his decision to omit Tiger Woods from Saturday's foursomes has nothing to do with the player's form.
Tiger Woods: Tough day at the office
Coming off the back of a disappointing display on Friday in which he and Steve Stricker lost 2&1 against Ian Poulter and Justin Rose, Woods will sit out a session for the first time in his Ryder Cup career.
The former world number admitted afterwards that he just wasn't up to standard at the Medinah course on the opening day.
"We had a chance to get all square on the last hole and I missed it," he said.
"I didn't play very good this morning at all. 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 who just made absolutely everything. I don't know what he shot. He was like seven under through 10. I quit counting after that."
Love, whose took a 5-3 lead into Saturday, says he decided to give Woods a break as the rest of the tournament will be very difficult.
"We just felt like we didn't want anybody to have to play five matches on this golf course. It's a big, long golf course. It's tough," he said.
"We just don't want guys to be worn out. We need Tiger and Steve in the afternoon. We need Tiger and Steve on Sunday. There's so much that goes into this week and I saw it Monday night and Tuesday night. Our guys were out of the team room and in bed.
"The first thing they asked me when we got done playing or practising is, 'When can we go home?'
"They wanted to know as soon as they got finished today, when can we go rest, because it's going to be a long day tomorrow. I think Tiger needs a rest, Steve needs a rest, I need a rest, and it's a team effort.
"Tiger and Steve are very supportive friends of mine. They told me they would do whatever I asked them to do and I can guarantee you, neither one of them are very happy about it. Not because they are sitting out, but
because they have to wait till tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon to come back.
"It's not about Tiger, Steve or Bubba (Watson) or Webb (Simpson). It's about this team trying to win."
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