Westwood sent the message tide could be turned

Lee Westwood and his Yorkshire caddie played and walked 38 holes of the drying Twenty Ten course on a marathon

11-hour day.

Beginning with the closing out of a fourballs victory, continuing with a foursomes half and concluding with a rousing front nine against Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker, Westwood and Foster were at the heart of an epic day of Ryder Cup combat.

"It's got to be up there as the most holes I've ever done in one single day," said the Bingley bagman, who since Muirfield Village in 1987 has caddied for Seve Ballesteros and Darren Clarke in golf's defining team event.

"I cannot remember ever doing three games in one day.

"I collapsed in bed at 10.30pm Saturday and woke again at 5.30am but it felt like I had only 40 minutes' kip.

"It's been tough for us all. But that's what the players work hard for, that's why they work on their fitness.

"The lads now are a lot fitter and in a lot better shape than they were 20 years ago. They can manage playing so many holes and so many different formats."

Europe's momentum was clipped by fading light on Saturday night and then another lengthy rain delay yesterday that forced the Ryder Cup into a fourth day.

While Foster revealed an extra few hours' rest was welcomed after a draining Saturday, the disruption to play has not been easy to deal with.

"Friday was a long day," said Foster of the seven hours and 18 minutes suspension that created the congested format of Saturday's play.

"There were lads sleeping on the locker room floor and just doing anything to stay occupied. Some went back to the hotels.

"It's frustrating when you're hanging around for so long.

"It's tough on the players because this is the ultimate challenge and you have got to pick yourself up and deal with that. It's a little easier for the caddies, but the players are all professional and they can cope with that."

Having caddied for inspirational Ryder Cup player Ballesteros at the 1991 and '93 matches, Foster now stands beside another golfer who carries the hopes of a continent.

World No 3 Westwood has produced the kind of form befitting an on-course leader. Playing his seventh Ryder Cup, the Worksop professional has led from the front with a win alongside Martin Kaymer over Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson and a further half with the German against Jim Furyk and Rickie Fowler.

Yesterday afternoon he made it two and a half points with a win over Woods and Stricker and will again be a key player when the singles commence this morning at 9.05.

"Lee has been outstanding," said Foster, who only teamed up with the 37-year-old two years ago.

"To be four holes up on Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker after playing what must have been 41 holes on Saturday, sends a message down to the rest of the team that the tide can be turned and that's what happened in those last few holes on Saturday evening.

"Lee's in great shape, his mind is completely clear. It was noticeable at the opening ceremony on Thursday when he was greeted, he just looks supremely confident.

"When you see all the blue names on the board it really cranks the atmosphere up for the players and the fans.

"All the roars from different parts of the course echo around and really fill the lads with confidence.

"It's just a shame about the weather, but I have to say the crowds have been superb."

Foster admitted he was not in the team room when Colin Montgomerie gave his speech before the start of the third session on Saturday afternoon, which sparked the stunning shift in momentum.

"The atmosphere was still great," he said.

"All the boys were shouting and firing each other up and it really worked. It worked because of the footing it gave us.

"We'd have taken 8-8 at the end of the session so to be where we are now is a real bonus."

Sunday was also a considerably easier day for Foster.

After the marathon session of Saturday, the caddie handed his man a club less than a dozen times as Westwood and Luke Donald closed out a shattering 6&5 win over Woods and Stricker inside four holes, a result that set the tone for a day of dominance by the Europeans.