Live Coverage: Ryder Cup 2014 - Day three singles - as it happened

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Ryder Cup - Day three singles - as it happened
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Going into the final day's play at Gleneagles, Europe held a commanding 10-6 lead over USA as they looked to retain the Ryder Cup.

It was never going to be easy for Tom Watson's American team to stage a fightback and although they had their fleeting moments, Europe never really looked in trouble and in the end won through 16.5-11.5.

It is a third straight victory for them and they have now won eight of the last 10 contests.

Read how the Sunday singles unfolded in full with our updates from throughout the day below.

6.01pmAnyway, it's time for us to bid you farewell on this commentary. Thanks ever so much for joining us today and throughout the Ryder Cup. We hope you had as much fun as we did. It's another win for Europe, well done to McGinley and his men. From us here at Sports Mole, good evening!

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5.58pmAmerica's top three points scorers were all rookies - Reed (3.5pts), Spieth (2.5pts) and Walker (2.5pts). Watson went pointless and has still never earned even a half-point in his Ryder Cup career.

5.56pmThe sun has broken through the clouds for the official trophy presentation at Gleneagles. Marvellous.

5.55pmErnie enjoyed it: "Well played @rydercupEUROPE and congrats. A great #RyderCup for a fan of good golf with some amazing scoring and shots from both sides."

5.52pm

5.49pmWatson certainly upset a few of his players this week. Not a single bad word against McGinley.

5.46pmIt already sounds like Paul Azinger is the favourite to lead America at the next Ryder Cup at Hazeltine in 2016. He was the last man to lead USA to victory in 2008.

5.41pmALL OVER! Dubuisson loses the last hole so has to square the match with Johnson.

FINAL SCORE: EUROPE 16. 5-11.5 USA

5.38pmBoth Dubuisson and Johnson missed the green to the left with their second shots. VDub was left with a really tough chip and he's just overshot it over the side of the green. Not the prettiest way to finish.

5.35pmThis is the scene on 18 right now:

5.33pmWatson admits that the Europeans outplayed his side. Many have and will continue to question his captaincy in this contest. He made several odd decisions and was certainly out-skippered by Mr McGinley.

5.29pmWE WON! WE WON! Donaldson clenches his fists after securing the Ryder Cup for Europe:

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5.25pmCLOSE! Johnson misses his par putt on 17 so it's over to VDub, but his effort comes up agonisingly just short of the cup. They'll go down 18.

5.21pmSir Alex Ferguson is being interviewed by Sky Sports News and he says he got more out of going to speak to the European team than they would have learned from him. Not sure about that!

5.17pmGreat stuff from Dubuisson as he restores his 1 Up lead with a superb up and down at the 16th.

5.13pm

5.09pmIt must be hard to complete your match at this time. You know that the battle is done, but you still have to keep going and secure your point for the team.

5.06pmJust one match left on the course then and it's back to all square between Dubuisson and Johnson as the Frenchman misses a short putt at the 15th.

5.05pm

5.03pmPoulter wins the 18th to salvage a half-point against Simpson. Two holes back at the 16th, Walker seals an impressive 3&2 win over Westwood.

EUROPE 16-11 USA

5.00pmHere is Donaldson celebrating the Ryder Cup win for Europe amongst a throng of photographers on the 15th:

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4.57pm"Methodical" is the word Garcia uses to describe captain McGinley. Attention to detail, it seems, will be how the Irishman is remembered as a Ryder Cup captain.

4.53pmGARCIA beats Furyk 1 Up by halving the 18th hole in birdie fours. EUROPE 15.5-9.5 USA.

4.51pmTwo stellar approaches from Furyk and Garcia at the par-5 18th. Both will have putts for eagle.

4.50pm

4.48pm

4.47pm"He's taken to the Ryder Cup really well," McIlroy on 38-year-old rookie Donaldson.

4.45pmLovely touch from Furyk, who went to shake Garcia's hand once he heard the news despite being about to play a shot.

4.44pm

4.41pm"It's been nice spending some time with you this week," McIlroy tells gracious American captain Tom Watson.

4.40pmArsenal star Aaron Ramsey tweets: "Well done @rydercupEUROPE, some amazing golf today. You can always trust a Welshman to finish it off!! 😉"

4.38pmWatson a few minutes ago to McGinley when walking down the fairway: "Perhaps if we could play four fourballs we'd have a chance." You got that right.

4.37pm"We had three or four big ideas that we kept going back to." McGinley has been an excellent captain, that's for sure.

4.35pmA touching moment on Sky Sports News as Donaldson's post-victory interview is interrupted for hugs with his mother and father.

4.34pmWhat a shot from Donaldson:

4.34pm

4.32pmEUROPE WIN THE RYDER CUP! Bradley sportingly concedes on the 15th green and that is that! Donaldson wins 4&3 and that puts Europe 14.5-9.5 in front.

4.31pmOLE OLE OLE OLE! Donaldson with a tremendous approach to just a foot and that sees McGinley and Watson shake hands in the fairway. They know it's all over.

4.28pmEAGLE! It's a gorgeous stroke from Sergio as the ball trickles and trickles to the hole before dropping down into the cup. Will it be the great Spaniard who officially secures the Ryder Cup for Europe? That would make a fantastic story given the controversy surrounding Nick Faldo's comments about him that came to light this weekend.

4.28pmFuryk's putt is good, but not good enough at 16. Garcia can now go 1 Up...

4.26pmALLEZ! Dubuisson, the forgotten Frenchman at the back, rolls home a massive birdie putt to level up his match with Johnson after going 1 Down at the previous hole.

4.25pmWhat a shot from Sergio! He arrows in a long-iron at the par-5 16th to about eight feet. Furyk is also on the dancefloor but has a much trickier, longer putt.

4.23pmDonaldson misses his putt to beat Bradley, but he's now 4 Up with four to play. The points don't officially count until the match finishes, but it is all over. Europe are guaranteed at least 14 points and will win the Ryder Cup for the third consecutive time. They've claimed victory in eight of the last 10 contests as well.

4.22pmEUROPE RETAIN THE RYDER CUP!

4.21pmFuryk misses a short putt to halve the 15th so is now all square again with Garcia. At 13, Westwood wins to peg Walker back to 2 Up.

4.20pmDonaldson's putt from way off the back rolls about six feet by. Bradley is further away after a below-average chip from left of the green.

4.18pmThe deadlock is finally broken in the bottom match as Johnson wins the 11th.

4.18pm

4.15pmBradley's is also long, and left. Remember, if Donaldson wins here, he will secure the match 5&4. Even a half will guarantee the half-point Europe needs. Things looking good.

4.13pmIt's the one drivable par 4 on the PGA Centenary Course and Donaldson fires a drive right over the flag. It landed just a few feet past the pin, but has run way off the back.

4.11pmOn the 14th green Poulter misses his birdie putt to halve the hole so it's back to all square in his match against Simpson.

4.10pmJimmy Walker is now 3 Up in the penultimate match against Westwood. It's going to be too little, too late though I fear. Garcia with a fabulous shot at 15. He's 1 Down to Furyk.

4.07pmDonaldson and Bradley halve the 13th so it's 4 Up with five to play. Europe haven't done it quite yet.

4.04pmLet's go to that match and both men are in the fairway. Donaldson's approach is right down the flag, but it's a little short and Bradley goes in closer. He's pin-high, about 20 feet right of the flag.

4.02pmIf Donaldson wins the 13th hole, it will put him Dormie 5 in front and guarantee the half-point that Europe need to secure the Ryder Cup once more.

4.01pmIt might be all but over for the States, but Simpson has just unbelievably holed a chip from the deep rough to halve the 13th.

3.59pmI've barely mentioned the bottom match between Dubuisson and Johnson, but there's a reason for that. Nine pars from each man, nine halves, all square. Yaawwwwwwwn.

3.57pmWhat a shot!

3.56pmEurope need half a point to retain, one full point to win. It looks like Jamie Donaldson might be the man to get it, he's 4 Up thru 12 with six holes to play.

3.55pmIt's all happening! Kuchar has just beaten Bjorn 4&3, while Mahan makes a mess of the 18th so Rose earns a half and takes his Gleneagles tally to four points. It's now EUROPE 13.5-9.5 USA.

3.52pmMICKELSON! Lefty beats Gallacher 3&1 and it's now Europe 13-8 USA.

3.49pmKAYMER! The German has just chipped in at the 16th to beat Bubba Watson 4&2. Europe now just one point away from victory. Who will be the man to earn the vital point?

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3.46pmMahan and Rose are coming down the 18th and the former has just hung his second shot way out to the right.

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3.46pmMickelson wins the 16th to go 2 Up on Gallacher with two to play. We could soon have another American point on the board.

3.41pm

3.39pmSo close! Reed's putt to win the match agonisingly slides just past the hole. Now to Stenson, who has a four-footer to halve the match...

3.38pmJustin Rose won't be the first European in 35 years to win four-and-a-half points in a Ryder Cup. He's just missed a putt to go all square with Mahan so he'll go down the 18th 1 Down.

3.37pmOn the 18th Stenson pushes his second shot into the par 5 and will have a tough chip. Reed delivers a fabulous shot and he'll have an eagle putt to win the match.

3.33pmAwesome picture of McDowell from Getty Images after wrapping up a second European point of the day:

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3.29pmStenson and Reed both show nerves of steel by ripping their drives down the middle of the 18th fairway.

3.26pmHUGE putt from across the green by Garcia at the 11th for par. Furyk still has a seven-footer for birdie, but he misses!

3.25pmStenson and Reed both par the 17th so they'll be all square going down the last. Tension!

3.23pmUPDATE!

McDowell won 2&1 Spieth Stenson A/S thru 13 Reed McIlroy won 5&4 Fowler Rose 1 Down thru 15 Mahan Gallacher A/S thru 14 Mickelson Kaymer 4 Up thru 13 Watson Bjorn 3 Down thru 11 Kuchar Garcia 1 Down thru 10 Furyk Poulter 1 Up thru 10 Simpson Donaldson 1 Up thru 8 Bradley Westwood 1 Down thru 8 Walker Dubuisson A/S thru 7 Johnson

3.20pmIt's all a bit much for McDowell, who has tears in his eyes during that TV interview. He loves the Ryder Cup and showed McGinley that he was right to put his faith in him to go out first.

3.18pmThat's a huge, huge win for McDowell after a sluggish start against Spieth. He tells Sky Sports News that he "hadn't had enough course time" after just two foursomes matches on Friday and Saturday.

3.16pmMCDOWELL HOLES IT! Europe need just two more points to get their hands on the Ryder Cup.

3.15pmTo the 9th quickly, where Poulter has just won the hole to grab a 2 Up lead over Simpson.

3.14pmOH! McDowell's bunker shot bobbles out of the hole! Imagine if he'd holed it! He'll now have a seven-footer for the match.

3.13pmTo the 17th, where Spieth will play first from the front of the green even though McDowell is in the bunker. That just shows how far away the American is.

3.11pmBubba, who is 4 Down, answers with an approach that ends up even closer than Kaymer's. Top golf.

3.10pmRemember that shot Rose played from the shrubbery on 13 earlier? Kaymer has just done exactly the same from a similar spot. Incredible scrambling by the German.

3.06pmIt comes up just short! McDowell is 2 Up with two to play and they go to the par-3 17th.

3.05pmSorry, Spieth now has this to win the hole and reduce the deficit to just one hole. If he misses, it's Dormie 2...

3.04pmSO CLOSE! McDowell almost holes a monster to win it on 16. Now over to Spieth to keep the match going...

3.04pmBradley cuts Donaldson's lead to one hole before Bjorn wins the 11th to go 3 Down against Kuchar.

3.03pm"How'd that land so soft?!" you can hear Spieth say as his third shot at the par-5 16th doesn't quite get up to the hole. If he loses that hole, then it's another European victory for McDowell.

3.00pmLOST BALL! Around 20 people tried to find Reed's ball after he was wayward off the tee on 15, but they weren't able to find it so he'll have to drive off again. Stenson in the fairway so he'll surely be levelling it up at all square.

2.58pmPoulter wins the 8th to go 1 Up on Simpson. Three of the matches that the US are leading in are just by one hole. The one positive? Kuchar is 4 Up and playing beautifully against Bjorn.

2.56pmMcIlroy tells Sky Sports News that he was more up for today than either of his Major wins this year, adding that he played his best golf of the weekend when he needed it most. You got that right, Rors. We already have a report up for McIlroy's victory and you can find it here.

2.53pmFIRST BLOOD! McIlroy beats Fowler 5&4 to put Europe 11-6 in front. Three more points they need now.

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2.52pmEUROPE! All of a sudden, there's more blue than red on the board and as things stand it will be a 16.5-11.5 win for McGinley's men.

2.51pmMcIlroy can put the first point on the board at the 14th, but he's struggling on the short par 4 and it looks like Fowler might just take that match to the 15th.

2.50pmDonaldson caresses his putt into the middle of the cup on 7 and now has a 2 Up lead on Bradley in the 10th match.

2.50pmHe's won five out of the last six holes to go from 3 Down to 2 Up in no time!

2.49pmMCDOWELL! The Northern Irishman is now 2 Up on Spieth in the top match after winning the 15th. What a turnaround it's been there.

2.48pmHere's where Rose hit it from:

2.46pmINCREDIBLE hack out of an awful lie from Rose that bobbles onto the green before curling up next to the hole. He sees the camera next to him and says: "That's Seve for you."

2.43pm

2.39pmMcIlroy goes 5 Up with five to play by winning the 13th hole with yet another birdie. He's had seven birdies, an eagle and one bogey today. Some round!

2.39pmSTEVIE! Great comeback from Gallacher as he wins the 11th to level his match against Mickelson. It's nip and tuck at Gleneagles, that's for sure!

2.38pmAfter his brilliant comeback around the turn, Rose has just missed a short putt to halve the 12th and he's back to 1 Down.

2.37pmWho will be the first man to put a point on the board? With things as they stand, it looks like it will be McIlroy in the third match.

2.36pmUPDATE!

McDowell 1 Up thru 14 Spieth Stenson 1 Down thru 13 Reed McIlroy 4 Up thru 12 Fowler Rose A/S thru 11 Mahan Gallacher 1 Down thru 10 Mickelson Kaymer 4 Up thru 9 Watson Bjorn 3 Down thru 8 Kuchar Garcia 1 Down thru 7 Furyk Poulter 1 Down thru 6 Simpson Donaldson 1 Up thru 5 Bradley Westwood 1 Down thru 4 Walker Dubuisson A/S thru 3 Johnson

2.32pmBy the way, as things stand Europe will win the Ryder Cup by 15 points to 13. That just shows how good a day America are having so far.

2.31pmA quick shout-out to the great Ivor Robson, who steadied himself after announcing the wrong American in the very first match of the weekend! Sterling job as always old boy!

2.29pmTa very much Liam. Okey doke, Gallacher has just holed a monster at the 10th and is back to just 1 Down against Mickelson. Massive moment for the local lad.

2.28pmAnd with that, I'll hand you back to a returning Pascal, who will take you through to the close. Enjoy...

2.27pmWe may have just seen the shot of the weekend over on eight courtesy of Kuchar. He's just chipped in to extend his lead over Bjorn to three. Elsewhere, there is not such good news for the Americans as Bradley misses a simple putt from five yards, allowing Donaldson to go 1 Up.

2.24pmJustin Rose is indeed level! He's won 8, 9, 10 and 11 to peg back Mahan, who is really struggling now. Like McDowell, it's some turnaround from the European! Talking of McDowell, after 13, he is 1 Up on Spieth!

2.21pm"Come on" bellows Reed as he goes 2 Up on Stenson after 12. That was a very good putt from the youngster, who is celebrating like Poulter at Medinah!

2.18pmAt the head of the pack, Spieth is having a bit of a nightmare on 13. He's just gone from the rough to the bunker, while McDowell is on the dance floor in two. This match looks to be only heading one way right now.

2.16pmBack on the seventh, Kuchar has just got a great slice of good fortune with the bounce out of the rough that leaves him just five yards from the hole. He still leads Bjorn by 1. Elsewhere, a sold putt from Walker puts him 1 Up on Westwood after three holes.

2.11pmLEVEL! So close from McDowell on the 12th, but his lengthy putt falls inches short. It doesn't matter, though, because a nervy-looking Spieth misses from four foot. After being 3 Down, McDowell has got himself back to all-square.

2.08pmROSE! All of a sudden, Rose is now only 2 Down on Kuchar, who concedes after he fails to hole out from the bunker on nine. The Englishman is fighting back! His tee shot on the 10th is then almost perfect. Maybe another shot back coming up.
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2.05pmDown at hole four, Poulter puts too much power on his 10-foot putt and it allows Simpson to go 1 Up. Where is the Poulter from previous Ryder Cups?! It just hasn't happened for 'The Postman' this weekend.

2.04pmThanks Pascal. So, how are you all enjoying the Ryder Cup singles? There has certainly been plenty of entertainment already!

2.02pmOkey doke, I'm going to go and grab some lunch quickly. In the meantime, Liam Apicella will take over. Over to you buddy...

1.59pmAs you can see from below, McDowell has pulled back to just 1 Down against Spieth thanks to two straight wins. Kaymer has just bogeyed the 7th so is now 3 Up on Watson.

1.58pmEurope up in three matches, down in four. A good start for the Americans, it must be said. They must be starting to believe more and more.

1.58pmUPDATE!

McDowell 1 Down thru 11 Spieth Stenson A/S thru 9 Reed McIlroy 4 Up thru 9 Fowler Rose 3 Down thru 8 Mahan Gallacher 1 Down thru 7 Mickelson Kaymer 4 Up thru 6 Watson Bjorn 1 Down thru 5 Kuchar Garcia 1 Up thru 4 Furyk Poulter A/S thru 3 Simpson Donaldson A/S thru 2 Bradley Westwood A/S thru 1 Walker Dubuisson vs. Johnson

1.54pmMcIlroy cards a five-under front nine by birdieing the 9th. Loads of pressure on Fowler to halve the hole, but he does so and is hanging on against the world number one. McIlroy 4 Up at the turn.

1.52pmVICTOR DUBUISSON VS. ZACH JOHNSON: The 12th and final match has impressive rookie Dubuisson up against the steely-faced Johnson. Dubuisson won both of his foursome matches with McDowell and faces a man who has lost both of his matches at Gleneagles. Prediction: Dubuisson.

1.51pmIs this the most-hated man on the course right now? Reed certainly doesn't mind upsetting the hoards of European fans at Gleneagles. He's all square with Stenson in the second game.

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1.50pmI was just about to say that McIlroy had quietened down after that volcanic start, but he's just produced a brilliant third shot at the 9th from the rough to set up a good birdie chance.

1.50pmKuchar restores his lead against Bjorn at the 5th. He's 1 Up on the Dane.

1.48pmSERGIO! We have our new shot of the day from the Spaniard as he stiffs it to a foot or so at the long par-3 4th. Sublime!

1.46pmAll Europe now as Garcia squares his match against Furyk before Stenson indeed wins the 9th to go all square with Reed.

1.45pmGreat start to the back nine for McDowell as Spieth pushes his putt for the half wide of the hole. Now 2 Up to America in the top match.

1.44pmKaymer goes 4 Up after six holes as he makes no mistake with his eight-foot birdie putt at the par 3. Bubba better get better soon.

1.43pmAfter going in the water, Reed needs a good approach with his 4th but he pushes his shot out to the right and into the deep rough. Stenson set to bring that back to all square.

1.41pmBack to all square on the 2nd green as Simpson misses a wee putt for a half after Poulter had sunk his from further out.

1.41pmLooks like Kaymer might be about to go 4 Up at the 6th after he went in close and Bubba left his tee shot way short.

1.39pmWET! The European fans will be delighted to see boisterous Reed find the loch at the 9th with his lay-up. Big chance for Stenson now.

1.38pmTo the 6th, where Mickelson makes no mistake with his birdie putt after an excellent tee shot. He's turned it around against Gallacher and is now 1 Up on the Scot.

1.36pmLEE WESTWOOD VS. JIMMY WALKER: The penultimate match sees Europe's most experienced player taking on 35-year-old American rookie Walker. Westwood won both of his foursome matches with Donaldson, but lost in the fourballs. Walker played in every session with Fowler, drawing his first three matches before a tired display and defeat against McDowell and Dubuisson last night. Prediction: Westwood.

1.35pmLook at them, just look at them! Nine years ago this was.

1.34pmFowler can't sink his birdie at the 8th so McIlroy stays 4 Up going to the par-5 9th.

1.34pmThree in a row for Kaymer at the 5th and he's now 3 Up on Bubba.

1.33pmAfter winning his first hole of the day at the 7th, it now looks like Fowler might get another one back at the 8th as McIlroy has played the hole poorly.

1.32pmMahan is playing incredibly well against Rose, who has just had to hole a birdie putt to halve the 7th. Mahan 4 Up on the in-form Rose.

1.32pmBjorn has two putts to win the hole against Kuchar on 3 and he does just that. Back to all square in that one.

1.31pmThe European fans will be desperate for Stenson to beat Reed after he did this:

1.28pmExactly the start that Team USA wanted!

1.27pmA couple of good moments for USA as Poulter loses the first hole with a poor putt before Mickelson levels his match against Gallacher.

1.24pmJAMIE DONALDSON VS. KEEGAN BRADLEY: The pick of the matches at the tail-end as the impressive Donaldson takes on talismanic American Bradley. Donaldson won both foursome matches with Westwood, but was beaten in fourballs. Bradley, like Mickelson, was left out yesterday after winning one and losing one on the opening day. Prediction: Match halved.

1.23pmWATER! Furyk is the first man today to get wet as he hooks his approach at the par-5 2nd into the loch. Chance for Garcia to level that one.

1.22pm

1.20pmUPDATE! Here's the latest:

McDowell 3 Down thru 8 Spieth Stenson A/S thru 7 Reed McIlroy 5 Up thru 6 Fowler Rose 4 Down thru 6 Mahan Gallacher 1 Up thru 5 Mickelson Kaymer 1 Up thru 3 Watson Bjorn 1 Down thru 2 Kuchar Garcia 1 Down thru 1 Furyk Poulter vs. Simpson Donaldson vs. Bradley Westwood vs. Walker Dubuisson vs. Johnson

1.17pmReal Madrid superstar Gareth Bale is watching. He tweets: "What a start from @McIlroyRory... on fire!!"

1.16pmFist slip-up for McIlroy after a wayward drive at the 7th. Fowler is in the fairway and has to start clawing this one back.

1.13pmIAN POULTER VS. WEBB SIMPSON: Europe's talisman in Medinah, Poulter hasn't had it all his own way at Gleneagles. He's played in just two matches, losing one and halving the other. However, that chip yesterday with McIlroy in the fourballs was one of the moments of the Cup so far. Simpson has only played once and lost the opening match of the contest convincingly to Rose and Stenson with Watson. Prediction: Poulter.

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1.12pmReed with a HUGE putt to halve the hole against Stenson at 7 and he reacts very oddly. He tries to rile up the crowd by sssshhh-ing them and gets a load of boos. Not sure about that.

1.12pmAt the 1st, Furyk to go 1 Up on Garcia... yessir!

1.11pmTrouble for Bubba at the 3rd as he fails to get his bunker shot properly away from the trap. Chance for Kaymer to go 1 Up.

1.09pmIf McIlroy keeps his up, he might set a new record for the biggest ever singles defeat. The mark to beat? Tom Kite's 8&7 victory over Howard Clark in 1987.

1.08pmRORY! It's not the easiest putt, but McIlroy's judgement is perfect as the ball comes in off the slope and plops into the cup. What an incredible start!

1.06pmIt might have been a naff tee shot from Fowler, but he's just come so close to chipping in at the 6th. It stays out, though, and McIlroy now has a putt to go 5 Up...

1.05pmA let-off for McDowell as Spieth misreads that short putt at the 7th. The American still sitting pretty at 3 Up in the first match.

1.04pmMcIlroy with another fine iron at the par-3 6th. Straight over the flag and about 15 feet for birdie. Fowler's answer? Short of the green. He just can't get it going today.

1.03pmMcDowell could be about to go 4 Down in the top match. He's got about 20 feet for birdie with Spieth in much closer.

1.02pmGallacher has a chance to go 2 Up on Mickelson, but leaves his birdie putt short at the 3rd.

1.01pmBack to all square in the second match as Reed draws in a gorgeous shot at the 6th and Stenson can only bogey.

1.01pmAnother birdie from McIlroy as he rolls home that short one at the 5th and he's now 4 Up on Fowler. Some display from the Northern Irishman, Fowler needs birdies and quickly.

1.00pmSERGIO GARCIA VS. JIM FURYK: Two Ryder Cup veterans do battle in match eight. Garcia has won one, drawn one and lost one so far this weekend. Furyk has won one, lost two. Prediction: Garcia.

12.58pm

12.54pmStunning again from McIlroy as he arrows in an approach to about 10 feet at the par-4 5th, which is the hardest hole on the course. Could he be about to go 4 Up?

12.53pmSpieth's tee shot at the par-3 6th was poor, but he's just come so close to chipping in. McDowell went close, but has missed the chance to pull a shot back. Spieth still 3 Up.

12.50pmShortly after Kaymer and Watson both birdie the 1st, Gallacher curls home a winning putt at the 2nd for a huge roar from the home fans. He goes 1 Up on Mickelson.

12.48pmTHOMAS BJORN VS. MATT KUCHAR: Bjorn is back in the team after 12 years and has had some impressive moments in his two matches. He hasn't won a match though, drawing one and losing the other. Kuchar has played three games and lost three. Prediction: Bjorn.

12.46pmReed is MILES off line at the 5th hole. Stenson finds the green and it looks like he will be going 2 Up.

12.45pmFowler finally halts the McIlroy charge as both players par the 4th. Superb chip from Fowler there to save par.

12.44pmAnother missed short putt from McDowell and he's now 3 Down to Spieth after five holes.

12.43pmStenson's putt for the win at the 4th slips just past the hole so he stays 1 Up on Reed.

12.41pm

12.39pmBirdie-eagle-birdie start for McIlroy and he's 3 Up!

12.36pmMARTIN KAYMER VS. BUBBA WATSON: Match five is a clash of personalities and styles of play as the reserved, mechanical Kaymer takes on eccentric, wild Watson. Kaymer has drawn two, lost one so far. Bubba has lost both of his matches, but played really well in the incredible birdie fest against Rose and Stenson yesterday morning. Prediction: Bubba

12.35pmMahan with a birdie at the 2nd and he goes 2 Up on Rose. Is the Englishman a little jaded after his efforts on the first two days?

12.34pmRORS! After starting birdie-eagle, McIlroy with a gorgeous approach at the 3rd. Fowler in the bunker and Europe's star man could be about to go 3 Up.

12.33pmDevastating for Gallacher as he misses a tiddler to win the 1st against Mickelson.

12.32pmFORE! McIlroy warns the fans down the left of the first fairway that Fowler's drive is heading in their direction. What a start it's been by the world number one. He's 2 Up after two.

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12.31pmMcDowell stops the rot against Spieth with a half at the 4th. The 21-year-old American will be over the moon though as he leads 2 Up in the top match. Exactly the start captain Watson would have wanted.

12.30pmStenson's putt at the 3rd just creeps in the hole and that will be a half. He stays 1 Up.

12.30pmMickelson's approach at the first is OK, but not great. Gallacher from the semi-rough... SHOT! That's just five feet for a birdie. Encouraging start for the Scot.

12.28pm

12.26pmEurope currently up in 2 and down in 2. Even start.

12.24pmSTEPHEN GALLACHER VS. PHIL MICKELSON: Match four and both of these two should be really fresh. Neither played yesterday, with Gallacher's only action of the contest coming on the first morning when he suffered a disappointing loss with Ian Poulter in the fourballs. He is the local favourite of Europe's team and will want to show captain McGinley that he shouldn't have been omitted since that defeat. Mickelson, meanwhile, played both matches on Friday with Keegan Bradley but was then surprisingly left out on Saturday. Watson revealed yesterday that the multiple Major winner texted him in an effort to play, but was told that he was being saved for the singles. Prediction: Match halved.

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12.23pmWhat a start from McIlroy! He's 2 Up after two holes as Fowler can only make a five and concedes the hole to the Northern Irishman.

12.21pmFabulous second shot at the 2nd from McIlroy. He'll have a 15-foot putt for birdie. At the 3rd, Spieth takes a two-hole lead as McDowell misses a little one for par.

12.18pmSHOT! Best shot of the day so far by Mahan as he stiffs his approach at the 1st to a couple of inches. That will be a birdie and Rose must now hole his shot from the bunker to halve the hole.

12.15pmUp at the 3rd, McDowell finds the greenside bunker in the top match. Spieth with the better drive and he picks out the heart of the green. Long old birdie putt, though.

12.14pmMahan's drive: down the middle. Rose drags his left, but it looks like he's got a good lie in the rough. If the Englishman does win his match, he will become the first European to score 4.5 points at one Ryder Cup since 1979.

12.12pmReed is making an awful mess of the par-5 2nd and will be about to concede the hole to Stenson, who is safely on the green in two and has an eagle putt. Reed is in a bunker after four shots.

12.10pmJUSTIN ROSE VS. HUNTER MAHAN: The fourth match of the day sees Europe's best player so far, Rose, face Mahan. Rose was trying to become the first ever European to win five points in a single Ryder Cup until he halved his fourth match alongside Martin Kaymer last night. It was a huge half though and 4.5 points over the weekend would be incredible. Mahan has lost two and won one this weekend. Prediction: Rose.

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12.09pmShocking from Fowler as he DUFFS his chip from just off the green at the 1st. McIlroy now to win the hole... it's good! Europe go 1 Up in the third match.

12.08pmSPIETH wins the first hole of Sunday singles by rolling home his birdie at the 2nd. That's match play for you, the American was miles off-line from the tee but still won the hole.

12.07pmBack to the 1st, where Spieth put the pressure on McIlroy with an approach just off the back. The world number one responds with a wedge to about eight feet. Great golf!

12.06pmMaybe not! McDowell was much closer for his third, but in the rough and he now has a 15-footer for birdie. Spieth in close.

12.05pmHere's a great shot of McDowell teeing off at the first. It looks like he is about to halve the second hole against Spieth after a great third shot from tehe American.

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12.03pmPREDICTION: McIlroy and Fowler have both played all four games and have already faced each other twice on Friday and Saturday. Both of those games ended all square and I think this one could do too. Match halved.

12.02pmFowler's tee shot at the first is tugged into the rough before McIlroy BOOMS maybe the biggest drive of the week down the right-hand side of the fairway. He'll just have a wee wedge into the green.

12.01pmTwo good bunker shots from Reed and Stenson at the first. Reed's was stone dead for a par before Stenson made no mistake with a four-footer for the half.

11.59amRORY MCILROY VS. RICKIE FOWLER: The pick of all 12 matches is the third one as young guns McIlroy and Fowler, who are set to be battling at the top of the world stage for many a year, go head to head. McIlroy is the world number one and has had an incredible year with two Major wins. Fowler will provide a tough test and finished in the top five in all four Majors this year. At Gleneagles, Fowler has drawn three and lost one match. McIlroy has drawn two, won one and lost one.

11.54amSAND! Poor from the Swede and he's side-by-side with Reed in the bunker.

11.53amReed's approach from the rough... into the bunker! Exactly the same place as Spieth. It's not a tough shot from there, but now Stenson with a great chance to get it in close.

11.52am"FORE RIGHT!" shouts Spieth as he slices his tee shot at the par-5 2nd. McDowell in much better position in the rough just off the fairway. He'll be able to go for the green in two.

11.50amNo mistake from Spieth with his putt for a half on the green. First hole of the day is halved in par fours.

11.49amUp at the tee and Reed pulls his drive into the left-hand rough. Stenson in the fairway with a mighty whack.

11.47amMcDowell thinks his birdie putt has dropped at the first but it curls around the hole and lips out! How did that not go in?! Spieth now with a five-footer for the half...

11.46amHENRIK STENSON VS. PATRICK REED: The second match sees two more unbeaten players face off. Stenson is a perfect 3-0 from his matches on Friday and Saturday. He formed an indomitable partnership with Justin Rose on the first two days, but had to sit out the afternoon session yesterday with a tight back. Will that affect him at all today? Reed was Spieth's partner on Friday and Saturday, winning two and drawing one. He putted extremely well for the most part, but missed a tiny one late yesterday afternoon that might still be playing on his mind now. Prediction: Stenson.

11.43amSpieth's approach is a little chunky and although it has the same line as McDowell's, the iffy strike sees it plunge into the bunker at the front of the green. Advantage Europe in the opening match.

11.41amDown the fairway and here's McDowell's approach... A BEAUTY! It just carries the rough and bunker at the front of the green but was right on line and now he has a short birdie putt. Pressure on wee Jordan...

11.39amPREDICTION: I'll be making a prediction for each of the 12 matches and have to say that I fancy an American point here. McDowell might be fresher, but he has only played foursomes and is yet to take his own ball all around Gleneagles. Spieth has played fourballs twice and is in great form. Spieth to win.

11.37amNERVELESS fairway-wood from Spieth down the preferred left side of the fairway. Now for McDowell, who knows of the pressure of Ryder Cup Sunday after securing the winning point for Europe four years ago at Celtic Manor. He has the driver out and hits it straight, but not very far. His driver quite a way short of Spieth's 3-wood.

11.36amHere we go then! Legendary announcer Ivor Robson declares the singles underway and Spieth, as the visiting team always does, has the honour down the 1st. Great reception for the young man even though he's on the other team.

11.34amGRAEME MCDOWELL VS. JORDAN SPIETH: The first match sees two unbeaten players do battle. McDowell has only played two games - both foursomes with Victor Dubuisson - while Spieth has played three, won two and drawn one with fellow rookie Patrick Reed. At just 21, Spieth will surely be feeling the pressure a little!

11.30amGreat atmosphere, as always, on the first tee!

11.26amLee Westwood, who isn't out until the penultimate match, arrives at the tee to do a bit of cheerleading. His point in the afternoon foursomes with Jamie Donaldson yesterday saw him pass Seve on the all-time Ryder Cup points list. Some achievement by the Englishman. It was also revealed earlier today that Westwood led the players' team talk last night as he was first out at Brookline and lost the opening match when America produced that amazing comeback. COMPLACENCY has been the buzzword for Team Europe.

11.23amIn Chicago two years ago, Europe called on the spirit of the late Seve Ballesteros by wearing navy blue on the final day and it paid off. Today, they are in the traditional colours of Europe - royal blue and gold.

11.20amAs mentioned in the intro above, the last two times that 10-6 has been the score at the start of Sunday, the team trailing has produced a spectacular fightback. In 1999, Europe were leading at Brookline but suffered a heartbreaking loss when Justin Leonard holed a ridiculous putt from miles away. Two years ago in Medinah, Team USA looked nailed on to win back the trophy until an amazing last-day comeback by the Europeans.

11.18amHere's all the tee times for today's matches. McDowell/Spieth off in less than 20 minutes!

11.15amAs mentioned below, Europe need a minimum of four points to retain the Samuel Ryder Trophy. Any more than that and they will win it outright for the third straight contest. Captain Paul McGinley has put out four of his strongest players first and his opposite number Tom Watson also selects four of his most in-form players first. As each game prepares to tee of at the gentle par-4 1st I will bring you a preview of the two men facing each other. All in good time, folks. All in good time.

11.12amAfter two days of teamwork, today it's about 12 individual battles as all 24 players take to the PGA Centenary course. Here's the full list of who's playing who, with Europe on the left:

McDowell vs. Spieth Stenson vs. Reed McIlroy vs. Fowler Rose vs. Mahan Gallacher vs. Mickelson Kaymer vs. Watson Bjorn vs. Kuchar Garcia vs. Furyk Poulter vs. Simpson Donaldson vs. Bradley Westwood vs. Walker Dubuisson vs. Johnson

11.09amSo, two fairly similar opening days in Scotland. Team USA were better in the morning in the fourball format, while Europe trounced them on both afternoons with record-breaking points hauls in the foursomes.

11.06amIf, for some bizarre reason, you've not been keeping up with the first two days of competition at Gleneagles, here's a quick rundown of how it has unfolded:

Friday fourballs: Europe 1.5-2.5 USA
Friday foursomes: Europe 3.5-0.5 USA
Saturday fourballs: Europe 1.5-2.5 USA
Saturday foursomes: Europe 3.5-0.5 USA

Current score: Europe 10-6 USA (Europe needs 14 points to retain, USA needs 14.5 points to win)

11.03amGoooooood morning everybody! One of the great days in sport is here, it's Ryder Cup Sunday. Bring it on!
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