Gallery: Europe wins 2014 Ryder Cup

All the best pictures from the final day as Europe win the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Europe surged to a comprehensive victory in the 2014 Ryder Cup after a string of strong performances in the Sunday singles

Europe surged to a comprehensive victory in the 2014 Ryder Cup after a string of strong performances in the Sunday singles.

Heading into the final session with a 10-6 lead - thanks to a 3.5-0.5 victory in the Saturday foursomes - Paul McGinley's men were never really threatened.

The Americans started fast, but Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer moved 4up in their respective matches early on to quell even the most indistinguishable American hope.

And, when McDowell started to turn things around in the top match and Justin Rose battled back from 4down against Hunter Mahan, it was a question of when, not if.

McDowell saw off Spieth 2&1 minutes before McIlroy - who made seven birdies and an eagle in his first 12 holes - defeated Rickie Fowler 5&4.

Some 10 minutes later, Rose won the 18th to halve his match with Mahan and Kaymer chipped in for eagle on 16 to defeat Watson, taking the Europeans to 13.5 points.

Half an hour later, rookie Jamie Donaldson played the shot of his life on the 15th, stiffing his wedge to see off Keegan Bradley and secure a famous European victory.

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McIlroy celebrates on the 14th hole after defeating Jordan Spieth

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Wins for McIlroy, McDowell and Kaymer, and a half from Rose, took the score to 13.5-7

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Kaymer acknowledges the crowd on the 16th hole

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Sergio Garcia is reduced to tears walking down the 17th fairway

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Patrick Reed made quite the impression with his Poulter-esque displays of emotion

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Jamie Donaldson secured the Ryder Cup with a 5&3 victory over Keegan Bradley

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The Welshman is mobbed by the press after his win

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Paul McGinley congratulates Donaldson, who recorded 3 points en debut

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The celebrations were underway.

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The winning captain

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Captain McGinley gets a soaking

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Victorious Team Europe

Jeremy Ellwood
Contributing Editor

Jeremy Ellwood has worked in the golf industry since 1993 and for Golf Monthly since 2002 when he started out as equipment editor. He is now a freelance journalist writing mainly for Golf Monthly. He is an expert on the Rules of Golf having qualified through an R&A course to become a golf referee. He is a senior panelist for Golf Monthly's Top 100 UK & Ireland Course Rankings and has played all of the Top 100 plus 91 of the Next 100, making him well-qualified when it comes to assessing and comparing our premier golf courses. He has now played 1,000 golf courses worldwide in 35 countries, from the humblest of nine-holers in the Scottish Highlands to the very grandest of international golf resorts. He reached the 1,000 mark on his 60th birthday in October 2023 on Vale do Lobo's Ocean course. Put him on a links course anywhere and he will be blissfully content.

Jezz can be contacted via Twitter - @JezzEllwoodGolf


Jeremy is currently playing...

Driver: Ping G425 LST 10.5˚ (draw setting), Mitsubishi Tensei AV Orange 55 S shaft

3 wood: Ping G425 Max 15˚ (set to flat +1), Mitsubishi Tensei AV Orange 65 S shaft

Hybrid: Ping G425 17˚, Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro Orange 80 S shaft

Irons 3-PW: Ping i525, True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 R300 shafts

Wedges: Ping Glide 4.0 50˚ and 54˚, 12˚ bounce, True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 R300 shafts

Putter: Ping Fetch 2021 model, 33in shaft (set flat 2)

Ball: Varies but mostly now TaylorMade Tour Response