Monty's putt seals Europe victory
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan -- Colin Montgomerie sank the winning putt as Europe clinched victory over the United States in the 35th Ryder Cup match at Oakland Hills, Michigan.
Tiger Woods had again led a spirited American fightback as the Europeans went in search of the three points needed from the 12 singles and the U.S. held early leads in the first five encounters.
But Sergio Garcia hit back brilliantly to beat Phil Mickelson and, after Darren Clarke halved, Lee Westwood beat Kenny Perry to set the stage for Montgomerie.
The Scot sank a par putt to defeat David Toms and ensure a European victory.
Woods had raised America's hopes of an improbable success when he led from the first hole to outclass European rookie Paul Casey three and two.
Jim Furyk kept the momentum going for the home team by making short work of another newcomer, David Howell, who was thrashed six and four.
Garcia settled European nerves as he battled back after trailing by two holes after eight against Mickelson
The Spaniard took control of the match with birdies on nine, 10 and 13 then clinched the point by holing a four-foot birdie putt on 16 after Mickelson sent his second shot into the water.
Davis Love missed a glorious chance to earn the U.S. another full point by losing two of the final three holes to Darren Clarke, who missed a five-foot par putt for victory at the last.
Chad Campbell gave the U.S. another easy win by beating Luke Donald five and three. Donald trailed from the third hole and ended with a bogey at the 15th.
Europe were sure of retaining the Ryder Cup when Westwood holed a three-foot par putt on 18 to beat Perry by one hole.
Montgomerie was one up playing the last and clinched the title for Europe when he curled a 50-foot putt to within three-feet of the hole then sank the par effort.
"We had 12 fantastic players out there today. We had a strong top, middle and bottom," a tearful Montgomerie told reporters after preserving his unbeaten Ryder Cup record in seven singles matches.
"I've never been able to say that before. It doesn't matter who holed the final putt because this is a team event. But this means more to me than most. It's super."
U.S. captain Hal Sutton was generous in defeat.
"The Europeans have been great," Sutton told NBC television. "They came here and they played ferociously and they made the putts when they needed to.
"We've got great players in America but we just got beat up this week."
Englishman Ian Poulter gave Europe another point by beating Chris Riley three and two but Chris DiMarco notched another American success when he defeated Miguel Angel Jimenez by one hole.
