After Saturday, Europe led the United States 10-6 and needed just four points to clinch their third straight Ryder Cup. They sealed the victory on Sunday and grabbed 6 ½ points during the afternoon singles matchups.
Jamie Donaldson defeated Keegan Bradley 4 & 3 to officially give the Europeans their fourteenth point, which clinched the Ryder Cup for them. As for the others, Sergio Garcia defeated Jim Furyk on the 18th hole; Graeme McDowell beat Jordan Spieth 2 & 1; Rory McIlroy crushed Rickie Fowler 5 & 4 and; Martin Kaymer defeated Bubba Waston 4 & 2.
"It came down to me to close it out, but it's all about the team," Donaldson said in this ESPN article. "Everyone played their heart out to retain the Ryder Cup. And that's what it's all about."
Captain Tom Watson was questioned throughout the weekend on numerous occasions. First he didn't play Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth during the afternoon alternate shot session after they dominated Stephen Gallacher and Ian Poulter 5 & 4 on Friday morning. Their victory essentially brought the United States back into it after Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson fell to Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson 5 & 4 in the first matchup of the tournament. The U.S. trailed 5-3 after Friday.
Watson then decided to sit Phil Mickelson for all of Saturday because he felt the lineup he chose gave the United States their best chance to win. But the U.S. fell behind 10-6 on Saturday and then was finished off 16 ½ - 11 ½ on Sunday. The Europeans began celebrating before a number of groups even finished their round.
Despite their loss, the United States saw some winners on Sunday. Patrick Reed defeated Henrik Stenson on the final hole of their match; Mickelson took down Gallacher 3 & 1; Matt Kuchar defeated Thomas Bjorn 4 & 3 and; Jimmy Walker defeated Lee Westwood 3 & 2. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to take the Ryder Cup away from a very talented European team led by captain Paul McGinley.
