30 September 2012
Last updated at
22:52 GMT
The start of the final day's play in the 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah, Chicago, and Europe's former world number one Luke Donald is first on the tee. Europe, the reigning champions, start the day 10-6 down.
It is 34-year-old Donald who scores the first point of the day, chipping close to the pin from the bunker on the 17th and forcing opponent Bubba Watson to concede. "Now I'm going out to cheer our boys on," he said afterwards.
Europe narrow the gap to 10-8 as Paul Lawrie, playing his second Ryder Cup after a 13 year absence, overpowers Brandt Snedeker 5&3. Lawrie's chip-in from the back of the green on the fourth is undoubtedly one of the shots of the day.
All smiles for Europe and the gap is reduced to just one. Rory McIlroy, who arrived belatedly on the course and almost missed his tee time, beats Keegan Bradley 2&1 and is embraced by vice-captain Darren Clarke.
Ian Poulter does it again for Europe, and the scores are tied at 10 apiece. The visitors have taken the first four matches on the final day with Poulter, a player who feeds off the energy and drama of the Ryder Cup, overcoming Webb Simpson 2 up.
Dustin Johnson gets the first point on the board for the United States. After his match against Belgian debutant Nicolas Colsaerts swings this way and that, the 28-year-old from Columbia seals the win 3&2 and puts America ahead 11-10.
Justin Rose engineers an extraordinary finish, with two birdies on the final two holes, including a monster 15 footer on 17, to clinch a 1 up win over Phil Mickelson. The scoreline reads 11-11 now - consider that at one stage on Saturday Europe were 10-4 down.
Advantage America once more, as Zach Johnson's pressure and persistence tells - Graeme McDowell, the man who sank the putt to win the Cup in Celtic Manor two year ago, is forced to concede on the 17th. Now it is 12-11 in the hosts' favour.
Lee Westwood emerges victorious once again for Europe. That's 21 points amassed for his team over the course of a glittering Ryder Cup career, and here in Medinah he fends off the challenge from Matt Kuchar 3&2.
It's another point for Europe which Sergio Garcia claims on the 18th, but the hole is really a tale of veteran American Jim Furyk's missed putt. The 42-year-old wildcard stands stooped and shocked as he hands Europe a 13-12 lead.
Another debutant, but he has had an extraordinary first Ryder Cup. Jason Dufner, whose putter has performed on all three days, beats Peter Hanson 2 up as the Swede is forced to concede. The United States restore parity.
But Martin Kaymer, a one-time world number one who has not had the best of seasons, rolls in a knee-knocking six-footer on the 18th to beat Steve Stricker and retain the Ryder Cup for Europe. Pandemonium ensues.
The final match on the course is yet to finish, and Tiger Woods is 1 up on Francesco Molinari on the 18th green. But the American misses his putt and concedes, handing half a point to Europe to seal an amazing 14½-13½ comeback for the champions.
It's an extremely emotional moment for Europe captain Jose Maria Olazabal. His team wore the blue and white of his great friend and fellow Spaniard Seve Ballesteros at Medinah on Sunday and, with images of the Ryder Cup legend on their left sleeve, they brought it home for Seve.
Olazabal gives the trophy the most tender of kisses at the closing ceremony and when the dust settles, eyes will be cast towards the next Ryder Cup, Gleneagles 2014, where Europe will once again attempt to defend their title.
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