Photos: Ryder Cup day two

Europe's star duo Colin Montgomerie and Padraig Harrington lost for the first time when they were beaten 3&2 by Davis Love and Stewart Cink in the fourballs.

The European duo looked jaded after their exploits on Friday while the USA pair, especially Love, were inspired.

Love hit four birdies in the first six holes to put the hosts three up before Montgomerie replied at the seventh.

Harrington and Montgomerie had chances to win holes but another Love birdie at the 12th left the pair too much to do.

Afterwards, Montgomerie admitted tiredness had affected his game.

And the 41-year-old, the inspiration behind Europe's stunning first-day success, revealed he had asked captain Bernhard Langer to leave him out of Saturday's foursomes.

"I didn't play play very well at all and for that reason I will not be playing in the foursomes," he said.

Montgomerie also apologised to Harrington for the lacklustre display which led to the Scot's first Cup defeat since he and Paul Lawrie were beaten by Jeff Maggert and Hal Sutton in 1999.

"I wanted to give Colin a rest. I want him fit for Sunday's singles Bernhard Langer Fourballs: All the action

"It's the first time I've apologised to someone, but I will get it right in the singles because I have got a record to uphold," added Montgomerie, who is unbeaten in Ryder Cup singles.

The last time Montgomerie missed a session in the Ryder Cup was back in 1991 at Kiawah Island on his debut appearance - a record sequence of 30 matches - but he insisted it was for the good of the team.

"I am not into Ryder Cup records. This event is all about the team not the individual," he said.

"We are all here for the same cause which is to bring back the trophy, and I think we are doing a pretty good job."

Langer said he wanted Montgomerie to be full of energy for the singles on Sunday.

"I wanted to give Colin a rest. I want him fit for Sunday, the singles are very, very important.