Americans Lose Big in Ryder Cup


Their skill - and the Americans' inability - in the foursomes format paid dividends in the long run for the Europeans. They entered Sunday's singles with a 10-6 lead after getting seven points in the alternate-shot matches on Friday and Saturday afternoons, then won five matches to roll to a 16½ to 11½ victory at Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland.

Europe continued their dominance in the biennial competition, winning the Cup for the third straight time and eight of the last 10 events.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson got the 14th - and winning point - after he hit a 9-iron to 2 feet from the cup on the 15th hole. His opponent, Keegan Bradley, conceded the putt, and the match, 4 and 3.

Graeme McDowell got the Euros off to a good start with a 2 and 1 win over Jordan Spieth. Patrick Reed continued his fine rookie Cup for the Yanks by beating Henrik Stenson 1-up. No. 1-ranked Rory McIlroy swept past his good friend Rickie Fowler 5 and 4 before England's Justin Rose and Hunter Mahan halved their match.

Phil Mickelson got a point for the Americans with a 3 and 1 win over Scotland's Stephen Gallacher, but Germany's Martin Kaymer beat Bubba Watson 4 and 2. Matt Kuchar then routed Denmark's Thomas Bjorn 4 and 3. But after Sergio Garcia edged Jim Furyk 1-up, European Ryder Cup stalwart Ian Poulter halved his match with Webb Simpson to set the stage for Donaldson.

In the ninth match, Donaldson secured the Cup for the Euros. In Sunday's final two matches, Jimmy Walker beat Lee Westwood of England 3 and 2, and Frenchman Victor Dubuisson halved with Zach Johnson for the final score.

"It came down to me to close it out, but it's all about the team," said Donaldson, who called his approach on the 14th "the shot of my life."

"Everyone played their heart out to retain the Ryder Cup. And that's what it's all about."

Though Watson attributed the loss to the Americans' pathetic foursomes performances, his European counterpart Paul McGinley said that was a fluke and Watson admitted as much. "The bottom line is the Europeans kicked our butts. They were better players this week," said Watson.

For McIlroy, his 2014 Ryder Cup was a thrill. "It's great. All week has just been a pleasure to play in front of unbelievable crowds and fans," said the 25-year-old from Northern Ireland, who won two majors this year. "We don't get to experience it too often. It's once every four years, a home Ryder Cup for us. It's been an amazing experience."

McGinley thought it was a great week, particularly since the Europeans won in front of a "home" Scottish crowd. "It's a great sense of pride, as I say, this ugly face (embracing Donaldson's smiling face), how happy it is, and the pride that we give to everybody, and the happiness of people in the stands, that's what you did. I'm giving it for everybody else, it's not for me.

"Playing is something very, very special, and I said to the guys last night, as much as I've enjoyed captain, it's different than playing. Enjoy it, be out there and enjoy it, because the days happen so quick and they go. It's been a real great honor (being the captain)."

Even though his team didn't win, Tom Watson said the week had some redeeming qualities. "The highlight is being able to get to know the players and trying to convince them that they are champions and they can win this event," said the World Golf Hall of Fame member and one of the U.K.'s golfing heroes for his exploits and victories in the British Open.

"I have great vice captains with me and great support alongside of me, and that's what - I'll take out of this just that; that it was a collective team effort to try to get the players to play their best golf and let them go up on the stage and perform. The other team performed better than we did, that's the bottom line."

For complete match details, visit http://www.rydercup.com/usa/scoring?autorefresh=1.