BBC SPORT | Golf | Ryder Cup | Westwood inspires young guns

Garcia/Westwood v Duval/Love III
(Europe won 4&3)

Europe's Lee Westwood bounced back to form as he teamed up with Sergio Garcia for a convincing win over David Duval and Davis Love III.

Home skipper Sam Torrance paired his youngest players together, and they responded in spectacular style against the Americans.

Duval and Love, who were previously unbeaten when playing together, never held the advantage.

Fourballs pictures from The Belfry

Westwood, emerging from a dreadful two years that have seen him drop from fourth to 148th in the world, won three crucial holes for the European pair.

We are both fairly laid-back characters

Westwood relished playing with Garcia

The 29-year-old Englishman regained their early lead at the fifth, and put them two ahead after 12.

Garcia, at 22 the youngest player in this year's Ryder Cup, followed up with a birdie for a three-hole lead.

And Westwood sealed the victory with a birdie, his fourth of the round, at the 15th.

His Spanish partner had earlier produced some breathtaking escapes to keep the pairing in front.

Garcia said: "Lee played very well. I didn't play my best but I managed to be there when he was not playing good holes."

David Duval plays out of a bunker
Duval and partner Love found trouble

He kept Europe ahead at the ninth with a sensational bunker shot from an awkward lie in a greenside trap, followed by a successful putt.

Then he produced another great recovery at the 10th despite just dropping into the edge of the water after being brave enough to try to drive the green .

Garcia took a penalty drop and pitched to five feet to claim par, and a vital save.

"We made a couple of important putts on the ninth and 10th to stay up and from then on we played good golf and made a lot of birdies," said Garcia.

Westwood added: "I hit some good shots out there but it's a bit easier when you know you've got someone like Sergio to play after you."

Watch a round-up of day one's action


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