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Captain Paul McGinley described each of his players as "a colossus" after holders Europe won the Ryder Cup for the eighth time in 10 editions.
Welsh rookie Jamie Donaldson secured the trophy for the home team on the 15th green by beating former US. PGA champion Keegan Bradley 4 & 3.
"Proud is the first word," McGinley told Sky Sports as he embraced the smiling Donaldson.
"I want to say it's been a real honour to get these 12 players, they have all been a colossus, all of them, the caddies, the backroom team, five vice-captains, it's been a huge team effort.
"This ugly face," McGinley said of Donaldson. "To see how happy it is, and the pride that we give to everybody and the happiness of the people in the stands...I'm giving it for everybody else, it's not for me.
"Playing is something very, very special and I said to the guys last night, as much as I've enjoyed captain, it's different than playing. Enjoy it, be out there and enjoy it, because the days happen so quick and they go. It's been a real great honour."
Ryder Cup 2014 in picturesShow all 42 1 /42Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 3 Europe team captain Paul McGinley celebrates with Thomas Bjorn as Europe won the Ryder Cup on the 15th hole with victory by Jamie Donaldson
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Jamie-Donaldson-of-Europe-shDay 3 Jamie Donaldson of Europe shakes hands with Keegan Bradley of the United States on the 15th hole
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 3 Sergio Garcia of Europe reacts to a putt on the 17th
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 3 Jamie Donaldson of Europe celebrates on the 15th hole after Europe won the Ryder Cup with Donaldson defeating Keegan Bradley
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 3 Jamie Donaldson of Europe is congratulated by Europe team captain Paul McGinley on the 15th hole shortly before Europe won the Ryder Cup
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 3 Bubba Watson of the United States looks dejected on the 14th tee
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 3 Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland (R) celebrates after winning his singles match with team-mate Rory McIlroy
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 3 Martin Kaymer of Europe reacts alongside caddie Craig Connelly
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 3 Rory McIlroy celebrates after his singles victory
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 3 Patrick Reed of the United States celebrates on the 8th green
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 3 Sir Alex Ferguson greets Rory McIlroy of Europe on the 1st tee
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 3 Rory McIlroy of Europe looks on from the 4th tee with JP Fitzgerald
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 3 Vice Captain of Team Europe Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain dances for the crowd on the first tee
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 3 Ian Poulter of Europe hugs Europe team captain Paul McGinley on the 1st tee
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 2 USA's cheerleader in chief Michael Jordan watches on with a cigar that Miguel Angel Jimenez would be proud of
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 2 Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood begin their foursomes round
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 2 Zach Johnson and Matt Kuchar celebrate taking the lead on the first hole against Westwood and Donaldson
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 2 Cruising in style, Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy make their way back to the clubhouse followig their halved fourballs round
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 2 Justin Rose celebrates clinching the 13th hole during his run of six straight birdies
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 2 Jimmy Walker reacts to narrowly missing the hole on the 18th
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 2 The ever-colourful American fans were out in force once again
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 2 A number of USA supporters arrived in the colours of NFL side the Minnesota Vikings
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 2 Ian Poulter roars after chipping in for a birdie on the par-5 16th
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 1 Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose put Europe ahead
Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 1 Jamie Donaldson (left) and Lee Westwood began Europe's afternoon fight back
Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 1 Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson celebrate after the former's eagle on 16
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 1 Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia discuss play during the opening fourballs
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 1 Europe vice-captain Miguel Angel Jimenez, Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia make their way around the course
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 1 Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed earned a point in their very first Ryder Cup outing, dismantling Ian Poulter and Stephen Gallacher 5&4
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 1 Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson are cheered on by Europe captain Paul McGinley on their way to a 5&4 victory over Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 1 Sergio Garcia pumps up the crowd after holing his bunker chip
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 1 Garcia chips in from the bunker to give him and Rory McIlroy the lead
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 1 Garcia high-fives his caddy Neil Wallace after chipping in from the bunker
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 1 Phil Mickelson in action on the second
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 1 Martin Kaymer and Thomas Bjorn smiles as Rickie Fowler holds his head in his hands
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 1 Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia enjoy the adulation of the fans after taking the lead against Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 1 Martin Kaymer tees off at the first hole
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 1 A view of the crowds at Gleneagles
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 1 Rory McIlory and Sergio Garcia salute the fans
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 1 Ian Poulter in action
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Day 1 A general view as Patrick Reed of the United States tees off
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Ryder Cup 2014 in pictures Opening Ceremoney Ian Poulter of Europe and wife Katie Poulter pose as team-mate Lee Westwood photo bombs before the Opening Ceremony ahead of the 40th Ryder Cup at Gleneagles
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McGinley's American counterpart Tom Watson said the key to the outcome was Europe's two 3 1/2-point hauls from the foursomes sessions.
"The real difference was the foursomes," said the U.S. skipper. "The combined scores for our team in foursomes were really, really high compared to theirs.
"We made them think about us early on in the singles and then they turned it on but the foursomes play is what separated the two teams."
Reuters
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