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Live Coverage: Ryder Cup 2014 - Day three singles - as it happened

By , Football League Editor
Relive the final day of the 40th Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, where Europe won the biennial contest against USA for the third consecutive time.
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Going into the final day's play at Gleneagles, Europe held a commanding 10-6 lead over USA as they looked to retain the Ryder Cup.

It was never going to be easy for Tom Watson's American team to stage a fightback and although they had their fleeting moments, Europe never really looked in trouble and in the end won through 16.5-11.5.

It is a third straight victory for them and they have now won eight of the last 10 contests.

Read how the Sunday singles unfolded in full with our updates from throughout the day below.


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Goooooood morning everybody! One of the great days in sport is here, it's Ryder Cup Sunday. Bring it on!

If, for some bizarre reason, you've not been keeping up with the first two days of competition at Gleneagles, here's a quick rundown of how it has unfolded:

Friday fourballs: Europe 1.5-2.5 USA
Friday foursomes: Europe 3.5-0.5 USA
Saturday fourballs: Europe 1.5-2.5 USA
Saturday foursomes: Europe 3.5-0.5 USA

Current score: Europe 10-6 USA (Europe needs 14 points to retain, USA needs 14.5 points to win)

So, two fairly similar opening days in Scotland. Team USA were better in the morning in the fourball format, while Europe trounced them on both afternoons with record-breaking points hauls in the foursomes.

After two days of teamwork, today it's about 12 individual battles as all 24 players take to the PGA Centenary course. Here's the full list of who's playing who, with Europe on the left:

McDowell vs. Spieth
Stenson vs. Reed
McIlroy vs. Fowler
Rose vs. Mahan
Gallacher vs. Mickelson
Kaymer vs. Watson
Bjorn vs. Kuchar
Garcia vs. Furyk
Poulter vs. Simpson
Donaldson vs. Bradley
Westwood vs. Walker
Dubuisson vs. Johnson

As mentioned below, Europe need a minimum of four points to retain the Samuel Ryder Trophy. Any more than that and they will win it outright for the third straight contest. Captain Paul McGinley has put out four of his strongest players first and his opposite number Tom Watson also selects four of his most in-form players first. As each game prepares to tee of at the gentle par-4 1st I will bring you a preview of the two men facing each other. All in good time, folks. All in good time.

Here's all the tee times for today's matches. McDowell/Spieth off in less than 20 minutes!


As mentioned in the intro above, the last two times that 10-6 has been the score at the start of Sunday, the team trailing has produced a spectacular fightback. In 1999, Europe were leading at Brookline but suffered a heartbreaking loss when Justin Leonard holed a ridiculous putt from miles away. Two years ago in Medinah, Team USA looked nailed on to win back the trophy until an amazing last-day comeback by the Europeans.

In Chicago two years ago, Europe called on the spirit of the late Seve Ballesteros by wearing navy blue on the final day and it paid off. Today, they are in the traditional colours of Europe - royal blue and gold.


Lee Westwood, who isn't out until the penultimate match, arrives at the tee to do a bit of cheerleading. His point in the afternoon foursomes with Jamie Donaldson yesterday saw him pass Seve on the all-time Ryder Cup points list. Some achievement by the Englishman. It was also revealed earlier today that Westwood led the players' team talk last night as he was first out at Brookline and lost the opening match when America produced that amazing comeback. COMPLACENCY has been the buzzword for Team Europe.

Great atmosphere, as always, on the first tee!


GRAEME MCDOWELL VS. JORDAN SPIETH: The first match sees two unbeaten players do battle. McDowell has only played two games - both foursomes with Victor Dubuisson - while Spieth has played three, won two and drawn one with fellow rookie Patrick Reed. At just 21, Spieth will surely be feeling the pressure a little!

Here we go then! Legendary announcer Ivor Robson declares the singles underway and Spieth, as the visiting team always does, has the honour down the 1st. Great reception for the young man even though he's on the other team.

NERVELESS fairway-wood from Spieth down the preferred left side of the fairway. Now for McDowell, who knows of the pressure of Ryder Cup Sunday after securing the winning point for Europe four years ago at Celtic Manor. He has the driver out and hits it straight, but not very far. His driver quite a way short of Spieth's 3-wood.

PREDICTION: I'll be making a prediction for each of the 12 matches and have to say that I fancy an American point here. McDowell might be fresher, but he has only played foursomes and is yet to take his own ball all around Gleneagles. Spieth has played fourballs twice and is in great form. Spieth to win.

Down the fairway and here's McDowell's approach... A BEAUTY! It just carries the rough and bunker at the front of the green but was right on line and now he has a short birdie putt. Pressure on wee Jordan...

Spieth's approach is a little chunky and although it has the same line as McDowell's, the iffy strike sees it plunge into the bunker at the front of the green. Advantage Europe in the opening match.

HENRIK STENSON VS. PATRICK REED: The second match sees two more unbeaten players face off. Stenson is a perfect 3-0 from his matches on Friday and Saturday. He formed an indomitable partnership with Justin Rose on the first two days, but had to sit out the afternoon session yesterday with a tight back. Will that affect him at all today? Reed was Spieth's partner on Friday and Saturday, winning two and drawing one. He putted extremely well for the most part, but missed a tiny one late yesterday afternoon that might still be playing on his mind now. Prediction: Stenson.

McDowell thinks his birdie putt has dropped at the first but it curls around the hole and lips out! How did that not go in?! Spieth now with a five-footer for the half...

Up at the tee and Reed pulls his drive into the left-hand rough. Stenson in the fairway with a mighty whack.

No mistake from Spieth with his putt for a half on the green. First hole of the day is halved in par fours.

"FORE RIGHT!" shouts Spieth as he slices his tee shot at the par-5 2nd. McDowell in much better position in the rough just off the fairway. He'll be able to go for the green in two.

Reed's approach from the rough... into the bunker! Exactly the same place as Spieth. It's not a tough shot from there, but now Stenson with a great chance to get it in close.

SAND! Poor from the Swede and he's side-by-side with Reed in the bunker.

RORY MCILROY VS. RICKIE FOWLER: The pick of all 12 matches is the third one as young guns McIlroy and Fowler, who are set to be battling at the top of the world stage for many a year, go head to head. McIlroy is the world number one and has had an incredible year with two Major wins. Fowler will provide a tough test and finished in the top five in all four Majors this year. At Gleneagles, Fowler has drawn three and lost one match. McIlroy has drawn two, won one and lost one.

Two good bunker shots from Reed and Stenson at the first. Reed's was stone dead for a par before Stenson made no mistake with a four-footer for the half.

Fowler's tee shot at the first is tugged into the rough before McIlroy BOOMS maybe the biggest drive of the week down the right-hand side of the fairway. He'll just have a wee wedge into the green.

PREDICTION: McIlroy and Fowler have both played all four games and have already faced each other twice on Friday and Saturday. Both of those games ended all square and I think this one could do too. Match halved.

Here's a great shot of McDowell teeing off at the first. It looks like he is about to halve the second hole against Spieth after a great third shot from tehe American.

Graeme McDowell of Europe tees off on the 1st hole during the Singles Matches of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles on September 28, 2014© Getty Images

Maybe not! McDowell was much closer for his third, but in the rough and he now has a 15-footer for birdie. Spieth in close.

Back to the 1st, where Spieth put the pressure on McIlroy with an approach just off the back. The world number one responds with a wedge to about eight feet. Great golf!

SPIETH wins the first hole of Sunday singles by rolling home his birdie at the 2nd. That's match play for you, the American was miles off-line from the tee but still won the hole.

Shocking from Fowler as he DUFFS his chip from just off the green at the 1st. McIlroy now to win the hole... it's good! Europe go 1 Up in the third match.

JUSTIN ROSE VS. HUNTER MAHAN: The fourth match of the day sees Europe's best player so far, Rose, face Mahan. Rose was trying to become the first ever European to win five points in a single Ryder Cup until he halved his fourth match alongside Martin Kaymer last night. It was a huge half though and 4.5 points over the weekend would be incredible. Mahan has lost two and won one this weekend. Prediction: Rose.

Justin Rose of Europe celebrates his putt to win the 8th hole during the Morning Fourballs of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles on September 27, 2014© Getty Images

Reed is making an awful mess of the par-5 2nd and will be about to concede the hole to Stenson, who is safely on the green in two and has an eagle putt. Reed is in a bunker after four shots.

Mahan's drive: down the middle. Rose drags his left, but it looks like he's got a good lie in the rough. If the Englishman does win his match, he will become the first European to score 4.5 points at one Ryder Cup since 1979.

Up at the 3rd, McDowell finds the greenside bunker in the top match. Spieth with the better drive and he picks out the heart of the green. Long old birdie putt, though.

SHOT! Best shot of the day so far by Mahan as he stiffs his approach at the 1st to a couple of inches. That will be a birdie and Rose must now hole his shot from the bunker to halve the hole.

Fabulous second shot at the 2nd from McIlroy. He'll have a 15-foot putt for birdie. At the 3rd, Spieth takes a two-hole lead as McDowell misses a little one for par.

What a start from McIlroy! He's 2 Up after two holes as Fowler can only make a five and concedes the hole to the Northern Irishman.

STEPHEN GALLACHER VS. PHIL MICKELSON: Match four and both of these two should be really fresh. Neither played yesterday, with Gallacher's only action of the contest coming on the first morning when he suffered a disappointing loss with Ian Poulter in the fourballs. He is the local favourite of Europe's team and will want to show captain McGinley that he shouldn't have been omitted since that defeat. Mickelson, meanwhile, played both matches on Friday with Keegan Bradley but was then surprisingly left out on Saturday. Watson revealed yesterday that the multiple Major winner texted him in an effort to play, but was told that he was being saved for the singles. Prediction: Match halved.

Phil Mickelson of the United States plays from a bunker on the 9th hole during the Morning Fourballs of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles on September 26, 2014© Getty Images

Europe currently up in 2 and down in 2. Even start.



Mickelson's approach at the first is OK, but not great. Gallacher from the semi-rough... SHOT! That's just five feet for a birdie. Encouraging start for the Scot.

Stenson's putt at the 3rd just creeps in the hole and that will be a half. He stays 1 Up.

McDowell stops the rot against Spieth with a half at the 4th. The 21-year-old American will be over the moon though as he leads 2 Up in the top match. Exactly the start captain Watson would have wanted.

FORE! McIlroy warns the fans down the left of the first fairway that Fowler's drive is heading in their direction. What a start it's been by the world number one. He's 2 Up after two.

Rory McIlroy of Europe and Rickie Fowler of USA on the tee on day three of the 40th Ryder Cup at Gleneagles on September 28, 2014© Getty Images

Devastating for Gallacher as he misses a tiddler to win the 1st against Mickelson.

RORS! After starting birdie-eagle, McIlroy with a gorgeous approach at the 3rd. Fowler in the bunker and Europe's star man could be about to go 3 Up.

Mahan with a birdie at the 2nd and he goes 2 Up on Rose. Is the Englishman a little jaded after his efforts on the first two days?

MARTIN KAYMER VS. BUBBA WATSON: Match five is a clash of personalities and styles of play as the reserved, mechanical Kaymer takes on eccentric, wild Watson. Kaymer has drawn two, lost one so far. Bubba has lost both of his matches, but played really well in the incredible birdie fest against Rose and Stenson yesterday morning. Prediction: Bubba

Birdie-eagle-birdie start for McIlroy and he's 3 Up!



Stenson's putt for the win at the 4th slips just past the hole so he stays 1 Up on Reed.

Another missed short putt from McDowell and he's now 3 Down to Spieth after five holes.

Fowler finally halts the McIlroy charge as both players par the 4th. Superb chip from Fowler there to save par.

Reed is MILES off line at the 5th hole. Stenson finds the green and it looks like he will be going 2 Up.

THOMAS BJORN VS. MATT KUCHAR: Bjorn is back in the team after 12 years and has had some impressive moments in his two matches. He hasn't won a match though, drawing one and losing the other. Kuchar has played three games and lost three. Prediction: Bjorn.

Shortly after Kaymer and Watson both birdie the 1st, Gallacher curls home a winning putt at the 2nd for a huge roar from the home fans. He goes 1 Up on Mickelson.

Spieth's tee shot at the par-3 6th was poor, but he's just come so close to chipping in. McDowell went close, but has missed the chance to pull a shot back. Spieth still 3 Up.

Stunning again from McIlroy as he arrows in an approach to about 10 feet at the par-4 5th, which is the hardest hole on the course. Could he be about to go 4 Up?



SERGIO GARCIA VS. JIM FURYK: Two Ryder Cup veterans do battle in match eight. Garcia has won one, drawn one and lost one so far this weekend. Furyk has won one, lost two. Prediction: Garcia.

Another birdie from McIlroy as he rolls home that short one at the 5th and he's now 4 Up on Fowler. Some display from the Northern Irishman, Fowler needs birdies and quickly.

Back to all square in the second match as Reed draws in a gorgeous shot at the 6th and Stenson can only bogey.

Gallacher has a chance to go 2 Up on Mickelson, but leaves his birdie putt short at the 3rd.

McDowell could be about to go 4 Down in the top match. He's got about 20 feet for birdie with Spieth in much closer.

McIlroy with another fine iron at the par-3 6th. Straight over the flag and about 15 feet for birdie. Fowler's answer? Short of the green. He just can't get it going today.

A let-off for McDowell as Spieth misreads that short putt at the 7th. The American still sitting pretty at 3 Up in the first match.

It might have been a naff tee shot from Fowler, but he's just come so close to chipping in at the 6th. It stays out, though, and McIlroy now has a putt to go 5 Up...

RORY! It's not the easiest putt, but McIlroy's judgement is perfect as the ball comes in off the slope and plops into the cup. What an incredible start!


If McIlroy keeps his up, he might set a new record for the biggest ever singles defeat. The mark to beat? Tom Kite's 8&7 victory over Howard Clark in 1987.

Trouble for Bubba at the 3rd as he fails to get his bunker shot properly away from the trap. Chance for Kaymer to go 1 Up.

At the 1st, Furyk to go 1 Up on Garcia... yessir!

Reed with a HUGE putt to halve the hole against Stenson at 7 and he reacts very oddly. He tries to rile up the crowd by sssshhh-ing them and gets a load of boos. Not sure about that.

IAN POULTER VS. WEBB SIMPSON: Europe's talisman in Medinah, Poulter hasn't had it all his own way at Gleneagles. He's played in just two matches, losing one and halving the other. However, that chip yesterday with McIlroy in the fourballs was one of the moments of the Cup so far. Simpson has only played once and lost the opening match of the contest convincingly to Rose and Stenson with Watson. Prediction: Poulter.

Ian Poulter of Europe celebrates chipping in on the 15th hole during the Morning Fourballs of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles on September 27, 2014© Getty Images

Fist slip-up for McIlroy after a wayward drive at the 7th. Fowler is in the fairway and has to start clawing this one back.

Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale is watching. He tweets: "What a start from @McIlroyRory... on fire!!"

UPDATE! Here's the latest:

McDowell 3 Down thru 8 Spieth
Stenson A/S thru 7 Reed
McIlroy 5 Up thru 6 Fowler
Rose 4 Down thru 6 Mahan
Gallacher 1 Up thru 5 Mickelson
Kaymer 1 Up thru 3 Watson
Bjorn 1 Down thru 2 Kuchar
Garcia 1 Down thru 1 Furyk
Poulter vs. Simpson
Donaldson vs. Bradley
Westwood vs. Walker
Dubuisson vs. Johnson



WATER! Furyk is the first man today to get wet as he hooks his approach at the par-5 2nd into the loch. Chance for Garcia to level that one.

JAMIE DONALDSON VS. KEEGAN BRADLEY: The pick of the matches at the tail-end as the impressive Donaldson takes on talismanic American Bradley. Donaldson won both foursome matches with Westwood, but was beaten in fourballs. Bradley, like Mickelson, was left out yesterday after winning one and losing one on the opening day. Prediction: Match halved.

A couple of good moments for USA as Poulter loses the first hole with a poor putt before Mickelson levels his match against Gallacher.

Exactly the start that Team USA wanted!


The European fans will be desperate for Stenson to beat Reed after he did this:


Bjorn has two putts to win the hole against Kuchar on 3 and he does just that. Back to all square in that one.

Mahan is playing incredibly well against Rose, who has just had to hole a birdie putt to halve the 7th. Mahan 4 Up on the in-form Rose.

After winning his first hole of the day at the 7th, it now looks like Fowler might get another one back at the 8th as McIlroy has played the hole poorly.

Three in a row for Kaymer at the 5th and he's now 3 Up on Bubba.

Fowler can't sink his birdie at the 8th so McIlroy stays 4 Up going to the par-5 9th.

Look at them, just look at them! Nine years ago this was.


LEE WESTWOOD VS. JIMMY WALKER: The penultimate match sees Europe's most experienced player taking on 35-year-old American rookie Walker. Westwood won both of his foursome matches with Donaldson, but lost in the fourballs. Walker played in every session with Fowler, drawing his first three matches before a tired display and defeat against McDowell and Dubuisson last night. Prediction: Westwood.

To the 6th, where Mickelson makes no mistake with his birdie putt after an excellent tee shot. He's turned it around against Gallacher and is now 1 Up on the Scot.

WET! The European fans will be delighted to see boisterous Reed find the loch at the 9th with his lay-up. Big chance for Stenson now.

Looks like Kaymer might be about to go 4 Up at the 6th after he went in close and Bubba left his tee shot way short.

Back to all square on the 2nd green as Simpson misses a wee putt for a half after Poulter had sunk his from further out.

After going in the water, Reed needs a good approach with his 4th but he pushes his shot out to the right and into the deep rough. Stenson set to bring that back to all square.

Kaymer goes 4 Up after six holes as he makes no mistake with his eight-foot birdie putt at the par 3. Bubba better get better soon.

Great start to the back nine for McDowell as Spieth pushes his putt for the half wide of the hole. Now 2 Up to America in the top match.

All Europe now as Garcia squares his match against Furyk before Stenson indeed wins the 9th to go all square with Reed.

SERGIO! We have our new shot of the day from the Spaniard as he stiffs it to a foot or so at the long par-3 4th. Sublime!

Kuchar restores his lead against Bjorn at the 5th. He's 1 Up on the Dane.

I was just about to say that McIlroy had quietened down after that volcanic start, but he's just produced a brilliant third shot at the 9th from the rough to set up a good birdie chance.

Is this the most-hated man on the course right now? Reed certainly doesn't mind upsetting the hoards of European fans at Gleneagles. He's all square with Stenson in the second game.

Patrick Reed of the United States celebrates on the 8th green during the Singles Matches of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles on September 28, 2014© Getty Images

VICTOR DUBUISSON VS. ZACH JOHNSON: The 12th and final match has impressive rookie Dubuisson up against the steely-faced Johnson. Dubuisson won both of his foursome matches with McDowell and faces a man who has lost both of his matches at Gleneagles. Prediction: Dubuisson.

McIlroy cards a five-under front nine by birdieing the 9th. Loads of pressure on Fowler to halve the hole, but he does so and is hanging on against the world number one. McIlroy 4 Up at the turn.

UPDATE!

McDowell 1 Down thru 11 Spieth
Stenson A/S thru 9 Reed
McIlroy 4 Up thru 9 Fowler
Rose 3 Down thru 8 Mahan
Gallacher 1 Down thru 7 Mickelson
Kaymer 4 Up thru 6 Watson
Bjorn 1 Down thru 5 Kuchar
Garcia 1 Up thru 4 Furyk
Poulter A/S thru 3 Simpson
Donaldson A/S thru 2 Bradley
Westwood A/S thru 1 Walker
Dubuisson vs. Johnson

Europe up in three matches, down in four. A good start for the Americans, it must be said. They must be starting to believe more and more.

As you can see from below, McDowell has pulled back to just 1 Down against Spieth thanks to two straight wins. Kaymer has just bogeyed the 7th so is now 3 Up on Watson.

Okey doke, I'm going to go and grab some lunch quickly. In the meantime, Liam Apicella will take over. Over to you buddy...

Thanks Pascal. So, how are you all enjoying the Ryder Cup singles? There has certainly been plenty of entertainment already!

Down at hole four, Poulter puts too much power on his 10-foot putt and it allows Simpson to go 1 Up. Where is the Poulter from previous Ryder Cups?! It just hasn't happened for 'The Postman' this weekend.

ROSE! All of a sudden, Rose is now only 2 Down on Kuchar, who concedes after he fails to hole out from the bunker on nine. The Englishman is fighting back! His tee shot on the 10th is then almost perfect. Maybe another shot back coming up.

Justin Rose of Europe celebrates his putt to win the 8th hole during the Morning Fourballs of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles on September 27, 2014© Getty Images


LEVEL! So close from McDowell on the 12th, but his lengthy putt falls inches short. It doesn't matter, though, because a nervy-looking Spieth misses from four foot. After being 3 Down, McDowell has got himself back to all-square.

Back on the seventh, Kuchar has just got a great slice of good fortune with the bounce out of the rough that leaves him just five yards from the hole. He still leads Bjorn by 1. Elsewhere, a sold putt from Walker puts him 1 Up on Westwood after three holes.

At the head of the pack, Spieth is having a bit of a nightmare on 13. He's just gone from the rough to the bunker, while McDowell is on the dance floor in two. This match looks to be only heading one way right now.

"Come on" bellows Reed as he goes 2 Up on Stenson after 12. That was a very good putt from the youngster, who is celebrating like Poulter at Medinah!

Justin Rose is indeed level! He's won 8, 9, 10 and 11 to peg back Mahan, who is really struggling now. Like McDowell, it's some turnaround from the European! Talking of McDowell, after 13, he is 1 Up on Spieth!

We may have just seen the shot of the weekend over on eight courtesy of Kuchar. He's just chipped in to extend his lead over Bjorn to three. Elsewhere, there is not such good news for the Americans as Bradley misses a simple putt from five yards, allowing Donaldson to go 1 Up.

And with that, I'll hand you back to a returning Pascal, who will take you through to the close. Enjoy...

Ta very much Liam. Okey doke, Gallacher has just holed a monster at the 10th and is back to just 1 Down against Mickelson. Massive moment for the local lad.

A quick shout-out to the great Ivor Robson, who steadied himself after announcing the wrong American in the very first match of the weekend! Sterling job as always old boy!


By the way, as things stand Europe will win the Ryder Cup by 15 points to 13. That just shows how good a day America are having so far.

UPDATE!

McDowell 1 Up thru 14 Spieth
Stenson 1 Down thru 13 Reed
McIlroy 4 Up thru 12 Fowler
Rose A/S thru 11 Mahan
Gallacher 1 Down thru 10 Mickelson
Kaymer 4 Up thru 9 Watson
Bjorn 3 Down thru 8 Kuchar
Garcia 1 Down thru 7 Furyk
Poulter 1 Down thru 6 Simpson
Donaldson 1 Up thru 5 Bradley
Westwood 1 Down thru 4 Walker
Dubuisson A/S thru 3 Johnson

Who will be the first man to put a point on the board? With things as they stand, it looks like it will be McIlroy in the third match.

After his brilliant comeback around the turn, Rose has just missed a short putt to halve the 12th and he's back to 1 Down.

STEVIE! Great comeback from Gallacher as he wins the 11th to level his match against Mickelson. It's nip and tuck at Gleneagles, that's for sure!

McIlroy goes 5 Up with five to play by winning the 13th hole with yet another birdie. He's had seven birdies, an eagle and one bogey today. Some round!



INCREDIBLE hack out of an awful lie from Rose that bobbles onto the green before curling up next to the hole. He sees the camera next to him and says: "That's Seve for you."

Here's where Rose hit it from:


MCDOWELL! The Northern Irishman is now 2 Up on Spieth in the top match after winning the 15th. What a turnaround it's been there.

He's won five out of the last six holes to go from 3 Down to 2 Up in no time!

Donaldson caresses his putt into the middle of the cup on 7 and now has a 2 Up lead on Bradley in the 10th match.

McIlroy can put the first point on the board at the 14th, but he's struggling on the short par 4 and it looks like Fowler might just take that match to the 15th.

EUROPE! All of a sudden, there's more blue than red on the board and as things stand it will be a 16.5-11.5 win for McGinley's men.

FIRST BLOOD! McIlroy beats Fowler 5&4 to put Europe 11-6 in front. Three more points they need now.

Rory McIlroy of Europe celebrates his putt on the 6th green during the Singles Matches of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles on September 28, 2014© Getty Images

McIlroy tells Sky Sports News that he was more up for today than either of his Major wins this year, adding that he played his best golf of the weekend when he needed it most. You got that right, Rors. We already have a report up for McIlroy's victory and you can find it here.

Poulter wins the 8th to go 1 Up on Simpson. Three of the matches that the US are leading in are just by one hole. The one positive? Kuchar is 4 Up and playing beautifully against Bjorn.

LOST BALL! Around 20 people tried to find Reed's ball after he was wayward off the tee on 15, but they weren't able to find it so he'll have to drive off again. Stenson in the fairway so he'll surely be levelling it up at all square.

"How'd that land so soft?!" you can hear Spieth say as his third shot at the par-5 16th doesn't quite get up to the hole. If he loses that hole, then it's another European victory for McDowell.

Bradley cuts Donaldson's lead to one hole before Bjorn wins the 11th to go 3 Down against Kuchar.

SO CLOSE! McDowell almost holes a monster to win it on 16. Now over to Spieth to keep the match going...

Sorry, Spieth now has this to win the hole and reduce the deficit to just one hole. If he misses, it's Dormie 2...

It comes up just short! McDowell is 2 Up with two to play and they go to the par-3 17th.

Remember that shot Rose played from the shrubbery on 13 earlier? Kaymer has just done exactly the same from a similar spot. Incredible scrambling by the German.

Bubba, who is 4 Down, answers with an approach that ends up even closer than Kaymer's. Top golf.

To the 17th, where Spieth will play first from the front of the green even though McDowell is in the bunker. That just shows how far away the American is.

OH! McDowell's bunker shot bobbles out of the hole! Imagine if he'd holed it! He'll now have a seven-footer for the match.

To the 9th quickly, where Poulter has just won the hole to grab a 2 Up lead over Simpson.

MCDOWELL HOLES IT! Europe need just two more points to get their hands on the Ryder Cup.


That's a huge, huge win for McDowell after a sluggish start against Spieth. He tells Sky Sports News that he "hadn't had enough course time" after just two foursomes matches on Friday and Saturday.

It's all a bit much for McDowell, who has tears in his eyes during that TV interview. He loves the Ryder Cup and showed McGinley that he was right to put his faith in him to go out first.

UPDATE!

McDowell won 2&1 Spieth
Stenson A/S thru 13 Reed
McIlroy won 5&4 Fowler
Rose 1 Down thru 15 Mahan
Gallacher A/S thru 14 Mickelson
Kaymer 4 Up thru 13 Watson
Bjorn 3 Down thru 11 Kuchar
Garcia 1 Down thru 10 Furyk
Poulter 1 Up thru 10 Simpson
Donaldson 1 Up thru 8 Bradley
Westwood 1 Down thru 8 Walker
Dubuisson A/S thru 7 Johnson

Stenson and Reed both par the 17th so they'll be all square going down the last. Tension!

HUGE putt from across the green by Garcia at the 11th for par. Furyk still has a seven-footer for birdie, but he misses!

Stenson and Reed both show nerves of steel by ripping their drives down the middle of the 18th fairway.

Awesome picture of McDowell from Getty Images after wrapping up a second European point of the day:

Graeme McDowell of Europe celebrates victory on the 17th hole during the Singles Matches of the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles on September 28, 2014© Getty Images

On the 18th Stenson pushes his second shot into the par 5 and will have a tough chip. Reed delivers a fabulous shot and he'll have an eagle putt to win the match.

Justin Rose won't be the first European in 35 years to win four-and-a-half points in a Ryder Cup. He's just missed a putt to go all square with Mahan so he'll go down the 18th 1 Down.

So close! Reed's putt to win the match agonisingly slides just past the hole. Now to Stenson, who has a four-footer to halve the match...



Mickelson wins the 16th to go 2 Up on Gallacher with two to play. We could soon have another American point on the board.

Mahan and Rose are coming down the 18th and the former has just hung his second shot way out to the right.

ustin Rose (L) of Europe and Hunter Mahan of the United States walk on the 1st hole during the Singles Matches of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles on September 28, 2014© Getty Images

KAYMER! The German has just chipped in at the 16th to beat Bubba Watson 4&2. Europe now just one point away from victory. Who will be the man to earn the vital point?

Martin Kaymer of Europe waves to the crowd on the 1st tee during the Singles Matches of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles on September 28, 2014© Getty Images

MICKELSON! Lefty beats Gallacher 3&1 and it's now Europe 13-8 USA.

It's all happening! Kuchar has just beaten Bjorn 4&3, while Mahan makes a mess of the 18th so Rose earns a half and takes his Gleneagles tally to four points. It's now EUROPE 13.5-9.5 USA.

Europe need half a point to retain, one full point to win. It looks like Jamie Donaldson might be the man to get it, he's 4 Up thru 12 with six holes to play.

What a shot!


I've barely mentioned the bottom match between Dubuisson and Johnson, but there's a reason for that. Nine pars from each man, nine halves, all square. Yaawwwwwwwn.

It might be all but over for the States, but Simpson has just unbelievably holed a chip from the deep rough to halve the 13th.

If Donaldson wins the 13th hole, it will put him Dormie 5 in front and guarantee the half-point that Europe need to secure the Ryder Cup once more.

Let's go to that match and both men are in the fairway. Donaldson's approach is right down the flag, but it's a little short and Bradley goes in closer. He's pin-high, about 20 feet right of the flag.

Donaldson and Bradley halve the 13th so it's 4 Up with five to play. Europe haven't done it quite yet.

Jimmy Walker is now 3 Up in the penultimate match against Westwood. It's going to be too little, too late though I fear. Garcia with a fabulous shot at 15. He's 1 Down to Furyk.

On the 14th green Poulter misses his birdie putt to halve the hole so it's back to all square in his match against Simpson.

It's the one drivable par 4 on the PGA Centenary Course and Donaldson fires a drive right over the flag. It landed just a few feet past the pin, but has run way off the back.

Bradley's is also long, and left. Remember, if Donaldson wins here, he will secure the match 5&4. Even a half will guarantee the half-point Europe needs. Things looking good.



The deadlock is finally broken in the bottom match as Johnson wins the 11th.

Donaldson's putt from way off the back rolls about six feet by. Bradley is further away after a below-average chip from left of the green.

Furyk misses a short putt to halve the 15th so is now all square again with Garcia. At 13, Westwood wins to peg Walker back to 2 Up.

EUROPE RETAIN THE RYDER CUP!

Donaldson misses his putt to beat Bradley, but he's now 4 Up with four to play. The points don't officially count until the match finishes, but it is all over. Europe are guaranteed at least 14 points and will win the Ryder Cup for the third consecutive time. They've claimed victory in eight of the last 10 contests as well.

What a shot from Sergio! He arrows in a long-iron at the par-5 16th to about eight feet. Furyk is also on the dancefloor but has a much trickier, longer putt.

ALLEZ! Dubuisson, the forgotten Frenchman at the back, rolls home a massive birdie putt to level up his match with Johnson after going 1 Down at the previous hole.

Furyk's putt is good, but not good enough at 16. Garcia can now go 1 Up...

EAGLE! It's a gorgeous stroke from Sergio as the ball trickles and trickles to the hole before dropping down into the cup. Will it be the great Spaniard who officially secures the Ryder Cup for Europe? That would make a fantastic story given the controversy surrounding Nick Faldo's comments about him that came to light this weekend.

OLE OLE OLE OLE! Donaldson with a tremendous approach to just a foot and that sees McGinley and Watson shake hands in the fairway. They know it's all over.

EUROPE WIN THE RYDER CUP! Bradley sportingly concedes on the 15th green and that is that! Donaldson wins 4&3 and that puts Europe 14.5-9.5 in front.



What a shot from Donaldson:


A touching moment on Sky Sports News as Donaldson's post-victory interview is interrupted for hugs with his mother and father.

"We had three or four big ideas that we kept going back to." McGinley has been an excellent captain, that's for sure.

Watson a few minutes ago to McGinley when walking down the fairway: "Perhaps if we could play four fourballs we'd have a chance." You got that right.

Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey tweets: "Well done @rydercupEUROPE, some amazing golf today. You can always trust a Welshman to finish it off!! 😉"

"It's been nice spending some time with you this week," McIlroy tells gracious American captain Tom Watson.



Lovely touch from Furyk, who went to shake Garcia's hand once he heard the news despite being about to play a shot.

"He's taken to the Ryder Cup really well," McIlroy on 38-year-old rookie Donaldson.





Two stellar approaches from Furyk and Garcia at the par-5 18th. Both will have putts for eagle.

GARCIA beats Furyk 1 Up by halving the 18th hole in birdie fours. EUROPE 15.5-9.5 USA.

"Methodical" is the word Garcia uses to describe captain McGinley. Attention to detail, it seems, will be how the Irishman is remembered as a Ryder Cup captain.

Here is Donaldson celebrating the Ryder Cup win for Europe amongst a throng of photographers on the 15th:

Jamie Donaldson of Europe celebrates on the 15th hole after Europe won the Ryder Cup with Donaldson defeating Keegan Bradley at Gleneagles on September 28, 2014© Getty Images

Poulter wins the 18th to salvage a half-point against Simpson. Two holes back at the 16th, Walker seals an impressive 3&2 win over Westwood.

EUROPE 16-11 USA



Just one match left on the course then and it's back to all square between Dubuisson and Johnson as the Frenchman misses a short putt at the 15th.

It must be hard to complete your match at this time. You know that the battle is done, but you still have to keep going and secure your point for the team.



Great stuff from Dubuisson as he restores his 1 Up lead with a superb up and down at the 16th.

Sir Alex Ferguson is being interviewed by Sky Sports News and he says he got more out of going to speak to the European team than they would have learned from him. Not sure about that!

CLOSE! Johnson misses his par putt on 17 so it's over to VDub, but his effort comes up agonisingly just short of the cup. They'll go down 18.

WE WON! WE WON! Donaldson clenches his fists after securing the Ryder Cup for Europe:

Jamie Donaldson of Europe celebrates on the 15th hole after Europe won the 40th Ryder Cup at Gleneagles on September 28, 2014© Getty Images

Watson admits that the Europeans outplayed his side. Many have and will continue to question his captaincy in this contest. He made several odd decisions and was certainly out-skippered by Mr McGinley.

This is the scene on 18 right now:


Both Dubuisson and Johnson missed the green to the left with their second shots. VDub was left with a really tough chip and he's just overshot it over the side of the green. Not the prettiest way to finish.

ALL OVER! Dubuisson loses the last hole so has to square the match with Johnson.

FINAL SCORE: EUROPE 16. 5-11.5 USA

It already sounds like Paul Azinger is the favourite to lead America at the next Ryder Cup at Hazeltine in 2016. He was the last man to lead USA to victory in 2008.

Watson certainly upset a few of his players this week. Not a single bad word against McGinley.



Ernie enjoyed it: "Well played @rydercupEUROPE and congrats. A great #RyderCup for a fan of good golf with some amazing scoring and shots from both sides."

The sun has broken through the clouds for the official trophy presentation at Gleneagles. Marvellous.

America's top three points scorers were all rookies - Reed (3.5pts), Spieth (2.5pts) and Walker (2.5pts). Watson went pointless and has still never earned even a half-point in his Ryder Cup career.

Anyway, it's time for us to bid you farewell on this commentary. Thanks ever so much for joining us today and throughout the Ryder Cup. We hope you had as much fun as we did. It's another win for Europe, well done to McGinley and his men. From us here at Sports Mole, good evening!

Team Europe captain Paul McGinley poses with the Ryder Cup ahead of the contest against the USA at Gleneagles on September 23, 2014© Getty Images

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Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland waves to the gallery during the first round of the 114th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club, Course No. 2 on June 12, 2014
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