Europe defeat America to win Ryder Cup at Gleneagles
Europe powered to victory at Gleneagles as Jamie Donaldson sealed the point they needed to win 14.5-9.5 and claim the Ryder Cup for the third time in a row.
Welshman Jamie Donaldson defeated Keegan Bradley 5&3 to cap off an impressive individual weekend, which saw him take three points from a possible four in his first Ryder Cup appearance.
In truth though, the groundwork for Europe's victory had been carried out long before Bradley conceded to Donaldson on the 15th. Paul McGinley's charges went into Sunday's singles 10-6 up after dominating Saturday's foursomes, where they took three-and-a-half points from a possible four.
World No.1 Rory McIlroy then ensured Europe started where they left off, securing the first point of the day with an emphatic 5&4 victory over Rickie Fowler.
McIlroy, who won the Open and PGA Championship earlier this summer, became the first player in 37 years to claim two majors and a Ryder Cup in the same year. The last man to achieve that feat, back in 1977, was America's defeated captain at Gleneagles, Tom Watson.
'I knew what was expected of me and I knew what I expected of myself,' McIlroy said. 'I was probably more up for this than the last day at the two majors I won this year. All week it's just been unbelievable to play in front of these galleries.'
McIlroy's compatriot Graeme McDowell then further eased European nerves with a spectacular 2&1 victory over Jordan Spieth, who had been 3-up as early as the 8th hole. The young American will be proud of his weekend's work after taking 2.5 points from a possible four, but Northern Irishman McDowell was irresistible as he fought back down the back nine.
'I just got off to such a slow start,' McDowell said. 'I didn't feel I'd had a lot of course time this week - I hadn't seen the ball go in the hole much.
'I just felt something inside me start to turn around at the 8th. I'm just relieved to get that point across the line - the captain gave me a role this morning and I'm happy to deliver.
'You want it so bad you get in your own way sometimes, you just have to realise that this is what it's all about. If you're 3-down, just try to win the next hole, we talked about it last night.'
Patrick Reed sealed a point for America by downing Henrik Stenson 1-up, with the Swede missing the final putt that would have squared a gripping individual duel.
Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar also claimed points for America, defeating Stephen Gallacher 3&1 and Thomas Bjorn 4&3 respectively, but Martin Kaymer's 4&2 victory over Bubba Watson and Justin Rose's half with Hunter Mahan set Donaldson up to finish the job.
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