Ryder Cup: We pick out the best quotes from Europe after they relinquished the trophy
Monday 3 October 2016 01:51, UK
Europe failed to overturn a three-point deficit in Sunday's 12 singles matches to claim an unprecedented fourth straight win but went down to a 17-11 defeat. We pick out the best quotes of the day...
American singles triumphs by Patrick Reed, Rickie Fowler, Brandt Snedeker and rookie Brooks Koepka and a vital half point from Phil Mickelson had put USA on the brink.
How the 2016 Ryder Cup Was Won
Ryan Moore completed the triumph with an eagle at the par-5 16th, a birdie at 17 and a conceded par at 18 to produce a lead Europe could not overtake.
Here, we pick out the best quotes from the final day from Team Europe in Minnesota.
Europe captain Darren Clarke, whose players led early in eight of the 12 concluding singles matches, called the loss "incredibly disappointing".
Asked whether he would change any of his decisions this week, he told Sky Sports: "No. I really wouldn't. The only one I possibly may have changed was yesterday's (afternoon) pairings, which had to be in by 11.30 and there were still matches on the course.
"I've had a wonderful group of vice-captains helping me every step of the way and we've made all our decisions together. This doesn't happen overnight, 18 months of planning goes into it."
Europe's star man Rory McIlroy admitted he ran out of gas towards the end after his efforts to drag Europe back into it after their 4-0 opening day foursomes whitewash.
"Yeah, it does hurt. It's disappointing for us as a team and for me personally, taking on the role to go out and put a blue point on the board, I didn't do my job," he said.
"They deserve it. They deserve their moment. We'll come back better and stronger in Paris."
Thomas Pieters capped a spectacular Ryder Cup debut on Sunday, becoming the first European rookie to win four points on his first appearance.
"It's different when you're out there on your own," said a smiling Pieters. "You don't have anyone to high-five or pick you up when you're down.
"I made plenty of birdies and that's what you need in match play. I knew that Darren believed in me, that gave me a lot of confidence."
"I'm exhausted right now," he said. "They've been really long days, getting up at 4am. Dealing with these crowds isn't easy, it takes a lot out of you."
Sergio Garcia has now competed in eight Ryder Cups, but was left shaking his head after ending the slugfest all square against Phil Mickelson, despite making nine birdies on his own, including the last four holes.
"It was amazing," said the 36-year-old Spaniard. "To shoot nine-under and end up tying the match, it's obviously heartbreaking.
"But I gave it everything I had. I don't think I could have done anything differently. Phil just made it from everywhere and played well."
Lee Westwood was keen to emphasise that American players and vice-captains tried to maintain order during the matches.
"On a good point, I got called a turd yesterday, which is the first time since I was about 12 years old, so it made me feel young again!"
