Full recap: Europe wins Ryder Cup over USA 16.5-11.5

By Cameron La Fontaine | Sep 28, 2014

Sep 28, 2014; Gleneagles, Perthshire, SCT; fans line the fairway during the Singles matches on day three of the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles Resort - PGA Centenary Course. Mandatory Credit: Ian Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports /

The U.S. looked good going into the Saturday afternoon session for the paired match-play alternate shot in the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles Resort in Scotland, down just one point, but Europe dominated and took a 10-6 lead into Sunday’s singles match play, needing just four points to retain the cup. They did just that Sunday, winning five matches and halving three to take the 16.5-11.5 win.

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It started with Rory McIlroy who dominated Rickie Fowler in one of the most important singles matches 5 and 4. Europe also got victories from Graeme McDowell over Jordan Spieth, Martin Kaymer over Bubba Watson, and Jaimie Donaldson over Keegan Bradley to close it out on the 15th hole.

The U.S. put up a good fight on the last day, winning four matches and halving three. Wins came from Patrick Reed over Henrik Stenson, Phil Mickelsn over Stephen Gallacher, Matt Kuchar over Thomas Bjorn and Jimmy Walker over Lee Westwood.

The Ryder Cup’s top performers on the European side were clearly Justin Rose, Graeme McDowell, Jaimie Donaldson and even Rory McIlroy. Rose and McDowell went undefeated for the European side. Donaldson and McIlroy took one loss each, but scored points for Team Europe in every other match they played.

Patrick Reed was the closest things to a hero for the U.S. side, as the 24-year-old Ryder Cup rookie was the U.S. rookie to win three matches and lose none in the Ryder Cup since 1995 when Phil Mickelson did it.

Bubba Watson failed for the U.S. as he came in ranked the highest on the U.S. side. He went 0-3-0, and advanced to 0-4 all-time in singles match in the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.

With the win, Europe has now won the last three Ryder Cup’s over the United States and 8 of the last 10.

Europe proved once again how dominant they are on their home soil. They have not lost on European soil since 1993 at The Belfry and the USA thought they may have a chance, but Team Europe sealed it up after a dominant Saturday afternoon session.

Tom Watson gets the loss as the captain for the U.S. squad, while Paul McGinley for Europe gets the win. Watson, 65, was the oldest captain in Ryder Cup history. McGinley, 47, has played a part in five of the past six Ryder Cup matches, all of them European victories dating to 2002, and now he’s won again.

The USA now leads the all-time series 25-13-2, but Europe could one day see the lead in that series that way they’ve played in the last 10 Ryder Cup tournaments.

The 2016 Ryder Cup will take place at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota as the United States will try to break Europe’s winning streak.

Here are the records from each player in the 2014 Ryder Cup:

Europe- 16.5

Rory McIlroy 2-1-2

Sergio Garcia 2-1-1

Justin Rose 3-0-2

Henrik Stenson 3-1-0

Martin Kaymer 1-1-2

Graeme McDowell 3-0-0

Stephen Gallacher 0-2-0

Jaimie Donaldson 3-1-0

Thomas Bjorn 0-2-1

Lee Westwood 2-2-0

Victor Dubuisson 2-0-1

Ian Poulter 0-1-2

USA- 11.5

Bubba Watson 0-3-0

Phil Mickelson 2-1-0

Rickie Fowler 0-2-3

Jordan Spieth 2-1-1

Patrick Reed 3-0-1

Hunter Mahan 1-3-0

Matt Kuchar 1-3-0

Keegan Bradley 1-2-0

Jim Furyk 1-3-0

Jimmy Walker 1-1-3

Webb Simpson 0-1-1

Zach Johnson 0-2-1

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