2012 Ryder Cup live results: Westwood/Colsaerts down Woods/Stricker, 1-up, to avoid afternoon sweep by Team USA

Europe’s Lee Westwood and Nicolas Colsaerts downed Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker 1-up to avoid an Fourball sweep by Team USA at Medinah Country Club on Friday afternoon.

Team USA dominated the afternoon session with Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson crushing Paul Lawrie and Peter Hanson, 5&4; Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley downing Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, 2&1; and Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar defeating Justin Rose and Martin Kaymer, 3&2. But Woods and Stricker couldn’t close out Team USA’s sweep of the afternoon.

The seesaw battle saw Woods and Stricker jump out to an early lead with a birdie on the first hole, but Westwood and Colsaerts didn’t take long to respond, answering with a birdie of their own on fourth hole. The match stayed all-square until Westwood and Colsaerts birdied the ninth hole and followed up with an eagle on the 10th to jump to 2-up. Woods and Stricker punched back right away with a birdie on 11 to cut Westwood/Colsaerts lead to 1-up.

Westwood and Colsaerts extended their lead back to 2-up with a birdie on the 13th, but again Woods and Stricker answered back immediately with a birdie on 14 to leave the European pair 1-up. The resilient Europeans followed up with a birdie on the 15th to take their lead right back to 2-up with three holes to play. Not to be outdone, Woods and Stricker birdied 16 continue the match’s back-and-forth on the back nine.

The match went dormie after the pairs both birdied the 17th, and Westwood and Colsaerts sealed the win by matching pars with Woods and Stricker on the 18th.

The loss capped a disappointing day for Woods and Stricker, who also dropped their morning Foursome match as Justin Rose and Ian Poulter beat them, 2&1.

The U.S. leads 5-3 heading into Saturday’s Foursome and Fourball action.

Full match results and details can be found at Golf.com.