EUROPE have retained the Ryder Cup after a thrilling final day at Gleneagles.

Jamie Donaldson secured the decisive point when he fired a magnificent long-iron approach to within a foot of the hole at the 15th green to secure victory over Keegan Bradley.

Rory McIlroy got the European side off to a fantastic start in the singles with a decisive 5&4 victory over Rickie Fowler, and despite trailing early on, fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell served up another point when he beat Jordan Spieth 2&1.

Martin Kaymer was always well in control and eventually beat Bubba Watson 4&2 and Justin Rose battled hard to claim half a point from a drawn game with Hunter Mahan.

That left Europe needing one more point to win the Ryder Cup, and while Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar all won matches for the United States, Donaldson finished things with four matches still on the course.