Europe withstands U.S. fightback to win Ryder Cup

Chris Murphy, CNN
6 minute read
Updated 5:12 AM EDT, Mon September 29, 2014
The victorious European team and captain Paul McGinley after retaining the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
Ryder Cup: Europe retains the trophy —
The victorious European team and captain Paul McGinley after retaining the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
Andrew Redlington/Getty Images
Jamie Donaldson is surrounded by fans and the media after clinching the Ryder Cup for Europe with a win over Keegan Bradley.
Ryder Cup: Donaldson seals victory —
Jamie Donaldson is surrounded by fans and the media after clinching the Ryder Cup for Europe with a win over Keegan Bradley.
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Graeme McDowell trailed U.S. rookie Jordan Spieth early in their singles match but he hit back for a pivotal victory.
Ryder Cup: Mighty Mac —
Graeme McDowell trailed U.S. rookie Jordan Spieth early in their singles match but he hit back for a pivotal victory.
David Cannon/Getty Images
World number one Rory McIlroy led from the front with a 5&4 victory over fellow young gun Rickie Fowler.
Ryder Cup: Rory roars —
World number one Rory McIlroy led from the front with a 5&4 victory over fellow young gun Rickie Fowler.
Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
Europe's winning captain Paul McGinley soaks up the atmosphere after his side clinched a 16 1/2 to 11 1/2 victory at Gleneagles.
Ryder Cup: Captain fantastic —
Europe's winning captain Paul McGinley soaks up the atmosphere after his side clinched a 16 1/2 to 11 1/2 victory at Gleneagles.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
U.S. captain Tom Watson cuts a rather forlorn figure as his team slips to defeat in the 40th Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
Ryder Cup: Watson woe —
U.S. captain Tom Watson cuts a rather forlorn figure as his team slips to defeat in the 40th Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
The performances of rookie Patrick Reed have been a rare bright spot for the U.S. and he beat Henrik Stenson on the last day.
Ryder Cup: One for the future? —
The performances of rookie Patrick Reed have been a rare bright spot for the U.S. and he beat Henrik Stenson on the last day.
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Phil Mickelson beat Stephen Gallacher in his final day singles but cuts a dejected figure as he sits alongside his wife Amy.
Ryder Cup: Shared disappointment —
Phil Mickelson beat Stephen Gallacher in his final day singles but cuts a dejected figure as he sits alongside his wife Amy.
Harry How/Getty Images
Martin Kaymer holed the winning putt in the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah and his chip in from off the green 16th proved equally memorable as he beat Bubba Watson.
Ryder Cup: Kaymer again —
Martin Kaymer holed the winning putt in the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah and his chip in from off the green 16th proved equally memorable as he beat Bubba Watson.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Europe's Rory McIlroy (right) and Ian Poulter claimed a vital half point against Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler in the morning fourballs on Saturday.
Ryder Cup: Day 2 at Gleneagles —
Europe's Rory McIlroy (right) and Ian Poulter claimed a vital half point against Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler in the morning fourballs on Saturday.
BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images
Ian Poulter is known as Europe's postman, because he always delivers. Here he celebrates some first-class chipping, holing out at the 15th in the morning fourballs.
Ryder Cup: Day 2 at Gleneagles —
Ian Poulter is known as Europe's postman, because he always delivers. Here he celebrates some first-class chipping, holing out at the 15th in the morning fourballs.
Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
Jim Furyk curses his luck on day two at Gleneagles. The veteran American, who is playing in his ninth Ryder Cup, won his morning fourball with partner Hunter Mahan, but the pair lost out to Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy in the afternoon foursomes.
Ryder Cup: Day 2 at Gleneagles —
Jim Furyk curses his luck on day two at Gleneagles. The veteran American, who is playing in his ninth Ryder Cup, won his morning fourball with partner Hunter Mahan, but the pair lost out to Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy in the afternoon foursomes.
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images
Tom Watson's demeanour rarely changes, but the U.S. captain must be concerned that the 10-6 deficit may be too much for his team to overhaul in Sunday's singles. Europe need just four points from a possible 12 on offer to retain the Ryder Cup.
Ryder Cup: Day 2 at Gleneagles —
Tom Watson's demeanour rarely changes, but the U.S. captain must be concerned that the 10-6 deficit may be too much for his team to overhaul in Sunday's singles. Europe need just four points from a possible 12 on offer to retain the Ryder Cup.
BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images
Spectators dressed as bananaman enjoying day two in the grandstands at Gleneagles.
Ryder Cup: Day 2 at Gleneagles —
Spectators dressed as bananaman enjoying day two in the grandstands at Gleneagles.
David Cannon/Getty Images
Nice pants! There's always plenty of colorful clothing on show at the Ryder Cup.
Ryder Cup: Day 2 at Gleneagles —
Nice pants! There's always plenty of colorful clothing on show at the Ryder Cup.
Harry How/Getty Images
Rookie Victor Dubuisson and Graeme McDowell were once again on song for Europe in the afternoon fourballs beating Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler 5&4.
Ryder Cup: Day 2 at Gleneagles —
Rookie Victor Dubuisson and Graeme McDowell were once again on song for Europe in the afternoon fourballs beating Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler 5&4.
Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
Player of the tournament? England's Justin Rose has secured 3½ points in four matches for Europe so far. In the morning fourballs, he teamed up again with Henrik Stenson to beat Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar 3&2. In the afternoon foursomes he claimed a vital ½ point with Germany's Martin Kaymer against Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed.
Ryder Cup: Day 2 at Gleneagles —
Player of the tournament? England's Justin Rose has secured 3½ points in four matches for Europe so far. In the morning fourballs, he teamed up again with Henrik Stenson to beat Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar 3&2. In the afternoon foursomes he claimed a vital ½ point with Germany's Martin Kaymer against Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson (left) got Team USA's challenge underway on Friday morning in front of crowds massed around the first tee at Gleneagles.
Ryder Cup Day 1: Let battle commence! —
Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson (left) got Team USA's challenge underway on Friday morning in front of crowds massed around the first tee at Gleneagles.
David Cannon/Getty Images
Watson and Simpson were no match for European pairing of England's Justin Rose (left) and Swede Henrik Stenson. The experienced duo won the match comfortably 5&4 to give Europe the first point of the match. The pair ended up taking maximum points on Friday with a 2&1 win over Hunter Mahan and Zach Johnson in the afternoon foursomes.
Ryder Cup Day 1: Let battle commence! —
Watson and Simpson were no match for European pairing of England's Justin Rose (left) and Swede Henrik Stenson. The experienced duo won the match comfortably 5&4 to give Europe the first point of the match. The pair ended up taking maximum points on Friday with a 2&1 win over Hunter Mahan and Zach Johnson in the afternoon foursomes.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Ian Poulter, one of the stars of Europe's miracle win at Medinah two years ago, putts on the seventh green on Friday morning. Tens of thousands of spectators are attending the three-day event in Perthshire, Scotland.
Ryder Cup Day 1: Let battle commence! —
Ian Poulter, one of the stars of Europe's miracle win at Medinah two years ago, putts on the seventh green on Friday morning. Tens of thousands of spectators are attending the three-day event in Perthshire, Scotland.
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images
Poulter and partner Stephen Gallacher were unable to contain the U.S. pairing of Jordan Spieth (left) and Patrick Reed who ran out comfortable 5&4 winners, giving Team USA their first point.
Ryder Cup Day 1: Let battle commence! —
Poulter and partner Stephen Gallacher were unable to contain the U.S. pairing of Jordan Spieth (left) and Patrick Reed who ran out comfortable 5&4 winners, giving Team USA their first point.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Team USA's Rickie Fowler out on course during Friday's opening fourballs. He and partner Jimmy Walker halved their match with Europe's Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer.
Ryder Cup Day 1: Let battle commence! —
Team USA's Rickie Fowler out on course during Friday's opening fourballs. He and partner Jimmy Walker halved their match with Europe's Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
The big guns went out last as world No. 1 Rory McIlroy (left) and Sergio Garcia took on Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley in the final fourball of the morning.
Ryder Cup Day 1: Let battle commence! —
The big guns went out last as world No. 1 Rory McIlroy (left) and Sergio Garcia took on Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley in the final fourball of the morning.
Harry How/Getty Images