Europe surged to a comprehensive victory in the 2014 Ryder Cup after a string of strong performances in the Sunday singles
Europe surged to a comprehensive victory in the 2014 Ryder Cup after a string of strong performances in the Sunday singles.
Heading into the final session with a 10-6 lead - thanks to a 3.5-0.5 victory in the Saturday foursomes - Paul McGinley's men were never really threatened.
The Americans started fast, but Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer moved 4up in their respective matches early on to quell even the most indistinguishable American hope.
And, when McDowell started to turn things around in the top match and Justin Rose battled back from 4down against Hunter Mahan, it was a question of when, not if.
McDowell saw off Spieth 2&1 minutes before McIlroy - who made seven birdies and an eagle in his first 12 holes - defeated Rickie Fowler 5&4.
Some 10 minutes later, Rose won the 18th to halve his match with Mahan and Kaymer chipped in for eagle on 16 to defeat Watson, taking the Europeans to 13.5 points.
Half an hour later, rookie Jamie Donaldson played the shot of his life on the 15th, stiffing his wedge to see off Keegan Bradley and secure a famous European victory.
McIlroy celebrates on the 14th hole after defeating Jordan Spieth
Wins for McIlroy, McDowell and Kaymer, and a half from Rose, took the score to 13.5-7
Kaymer acknowledges the crowd on the 16th hole
Sergio Garcia is reduced to tears walking down the 17th fairway
Patrick Reed made quite the impression with his Poulter-esque displays of emotion
Jamie Donaldson secured the Ryder Cup with a 5&3 victory over Keegan Bradley
The Welshman is mobbed by the press after his win
Paul McGinley congratulates Donaldson, who recorded 3 points en debut
The celebrations were underway.
The winning captain
Captain McGinley gets a soaking
Victorious Team Europe
Jeremy Ellwood has worked in the golf industry since 1993 and for Golf Monthly since 2002 when he started out as equipment editor. He is now a freelance journalist writing mainly for Golf Monthly across the whole spectrum from courses and Rules to equipment and even instruction despite his own somewhat iffy swing (he knows how to do it, but just can't do it himself). He also edits The Golf Club Secretary Newsletter, has authored or co-authored three books and written for a number of national papers including The Telegraph and The Independent. He is a senior panelist for Golf Monthly's Top 100 UK & Ireland Course Rankings and has played all of the Top 100 plus 89 of the Next 100. He has played well over 900 courses worldwide in 35 countries, but put him on a links course anywhere and he will be blissfully content. On his first trip to Abu Dhabi a decade ago he foolishly asked Paul Casey what sort of a record he had around the course there. "Well, I've won it twice if that's what you mean!" came the reply...
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