Europe have retained the Ryder Cup, coming from 6-10 down overnight to secure eight singles matches victories and a draw and win 14.5-13.5.
McIlroy: Jubilant after Martin Kaymer's putt sealed the victory
In one of the most unbelievable comebacks in Ryder Cup history, the Europeans overcame a four-point deficit on the final day to take the outright victory - and this on foreign soil when such fightbacks are even rarer.
The sense that something special might be about to happen was clear when Jose Maria Olazabal's men won all five opening singles matches, with victories going to Luke Donald (2&1 over Bubba Watson), Ian Poulter (2up over Webb Simpson), Rory McIlroy (2&1 over Keegan Bradley), Justin Rose (1up over Phil Mickelson) and Paul Lawrie (5&3 over Brandt Snedeker).
Olazabal's tactic of putting his best performing players out first and trying to force the issue early proved more than effective.
The Americans fought back with victories for Dustin Johnson (3&2 over Nicolas Colsaerts) and Zach Johnson (2&1 over Graeme McDowell), but Sergio Garcia was on hand to secure another valuable point, securing a 1up victory over Jim Furyk.
Jason Dufner kept US hopes alive with a 1up win over Peter Hanson, but Lee Westwood gained a point for his side with a 3&2 win over Mat Kuchar.
That meant the scores were locked at 13-13, with two matches still out on the course.
It would fall to German Martin Kaymer, one of the most out-of-form players in the tournament this year, to nail a nerve-wracking four-and-a-half footer on the 18th green to halve the hole and hang on to his 1up advantage over Steve Stricker.
It meant that Europe had 14 points to the US's 13, and not even a win for Tiger Woods against Francesco Molinari in the final match of the day would be enough to prevent Olazabal's men from retaining the Cup, a draw being sufficient to see them through as the current holders.
As it happened, Woods, 1up on the 18th green, missed a four-footer for par that saw his match with Molinari end all-square, and Europe managed not only to retain the trophy, but take the outright victory in one of the most memorable Ryder Cup competitions of all time.
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