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McDowell clinches Ryder Cup for Europe

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Europe beat United States to regain the Ryder Cup
  • Graeme McDowell wins his match to ensure a 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 victory for Europe
  • United States won six singles matches to take the competition down to the wire

(CNN) -- Graeme McDowell held his nerve to win the final singles match of the Ryder Cup and regain the trophy for Europe after a thrilling climax against the United States.

The U.S. Open champion, from Northern Ireland, clinched his singles match with Hunter Mahan on the 17th hole to ensure Europe beat the United States 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 on an historic final day.

Five American players won their singles matches and when Ricky Fowler managed to win the last three holes to claim a half point from Edoardo Molinari the fate of the Ryder Cup came down to the last match left on the course.

McDowell was one up when he holed a vital putt on the 16th green to give him the opportunity to seal the match for Colin Montgomerie's team on the 17th.

The two sides of the Ryder Cup coin

Mahan left his tee shot to the par three short, then mis-hit his second to open the door for McDowell to clinch the game and spark wild scenes of celebration at Celtic Manor in Wales.

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McDowell told Sky Sports: "I was trying to bring it home for the 12 guys, the caddies, for the captain and for these fans, who have been unbelievable. We needed them big time.

I was under so much pressure but the putt on 16 was massive. I just had to get it going and it caught the edge
--Graeme McDowell
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"I was so nervous out there. The U.S. Open felt like a back nine round with my dad back home in Portrush compared to that! I was under so much pressure but the putt on 16 was massive. I just had to get it going and it caught the edge."

McDowell also paid tribute to Europe's team captain: "Colin has been amazing these last two years. There's no-one quite like Colin Montgomerie."

The U.S. started the day three points behind their rivals and at one stage Europe were leading eight of the 12 games, but Steve Stricker struck the first blow when he beat Lee Westwood 2&1.

Rory McIlroy and Stewart Cink halved their game before Dustin Johnson demolished US PGA champion Martin Kaymer, of Germany, to continue the U.S. momentum.

But Luke Donald struck back for Europe when he beat Jim Furyk by one hole then Ian Poulter claimed a 5&4 victory over Matt Kuchar to edge Europe closer to the line.

Video: Colin Montgomerie and the Ryder Cup

Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez beat Bubba Watson 4&3 but then the U.S struck a quadruple blow as Tiger Woods beat Francesco Molinari 4&3, Phil Mickelson defeated Peter Hanson 4&2, Zach Johnson beat Padraig Harrington 3&2 and Jeff Overton came from two down to beat Ross Fisher 3&2.

That gave Ricky Fowler the chance to put pressure on McDowell and he fired three birdies in three holes to claim a half point from his match with Edoardo Molinari and level the scores at 13 apiece.

But McDowell stayed strong in the final holes to ensure Europe gained revenge for their defeat at Valhalla in Kentucky two years ago.

Montgomerie told Sky Sports he was delighted his decision to send McDowell out last had paid dividends: "Graeme was put there [at the end] for a very good reason. He is the US Open champion and full of confidence and that birdie on 16 was quite unbelievable.

"It's a very proud moment for all of us in Europe. Every member of the team gave 110 per cent and all of them, to a man, were magnificent."

Defeated U.S. captain Corey Pavin told Sky Sports: "We came close but didn't quite get there but the bottom line is that I'm very proud of what they did this week. I just talked to the team -- it was very tough and emotional."

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