Ryder Cup 2012: the final day – in pictures

After Ian Poulter's heroics in the closing stages of yesterday's four balls, Europe have faint hopes of retaining the Ryder Cup trophy. But the Americans know their players need to win only five of today's 12 singles matches to claim the cup Photograph: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

As play gets underway, Europe's Luke Donald claims an early lead over Bubba Watson Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters

But Webb Simpson of the USA has got the better of Poulter thus far Photograph: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

On such an important day as this, you would imagine the players might arrive early. Not Rory McIlroy - he almost missed his tee off time Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters

It has not affected him one bit, though. He is two up against Keegan Bradley and his team-mates are on a charge too. Paul Lawrie is two up, Sergio García is one up and Peter Hanson is one up Photograph: Jeff Haynes/Reuters

Wonder what the former Barcelona football team manager Pep Guardiola and family think of that? As it stands, Europe are 5-2 up as the day's early starters begin the back nine Photograph: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

Donald is in spectacular form, notching birdie upon birdie to take a four shot lead over Watson Photograph: Andy Lyons/Getty Images

... while Justin Rose has gone one up against Phil Mickelson Photograph: Jim Young/Reuters

Can Tiger Woods help reel the Europeans in? He's playing Francesco Molinari in the last pairing of the day Photograph: David Cannon/Getty Images

Look out, the Americans are on a charge. Bradley has gone all square with McIlroy, while several other the matches have turned the way of the hosts Photograph: Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The swing is epitomised by a miserable hole for Nicolas Colsaerts, who three putts from two feet to hand the advantage in his match to Dustin Johnson. For the first time today, the USA are ahead on singles play Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images

However, Donald makes a great shot out of the bunker on the 17th to seal victory in his match by 2&1. That means it's 10-7 to the USA overall with 11 singles matches still to be decided Photograph: David J. Phillip/AP

Paul Lawrie, who still has three holes to spare, has been so dominant that his match is over too! He's won 5&3 over Brandt Snedeker Photograph: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

True that! Photograph: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

McIlroy soon completes a 2&1 victory to make it 10-9 overall Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

... before Poulter closes out his match, winning by two. So the USA and Europe are all tied at 10-10! What a comeback this is from Europe. Only one problem - USA are ahead in several of the ongoing matches ... Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images

Johnson beats Colsaerts to edge the USA ahead, 11-10. But Justin Rose, who was one down with two to play, goes birdie birdie to steal victory against Mickelson! It's 11-11 with six to play Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

Zak Johnson beats Graeme McDowell before Westwood seals his win to make it 12-12. Then Jim Furyk misses a five-footer on the 18th to hand a precious and unlikely victory to Sergio Garcia! Europe are ahead and are only one point from retaining the cup ... Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Dufner beats Hanson to make it 13-13. Kaymer then takes a one-shot lead over Stricker going into the 18th, while Woods edges ahead of Molinari ... So, it's pretty simple now, Kaymer simply has to match Stricker on the 18th to retain the Ryder Cup for Europe. Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

Stricker's in the hole in four ... And Kaymer follows suit. EUROPE HAVE RETAINED THE RYDER CUP! Photograph: David Cannon/Getty Images

McIlroy and his team-mates go berserk. At one stage yesterday they were 10-4 down. How things have changed Photograph: David Cannon/Getty Images

Kaymer gets a well deserved bear hug from Garcia Photograph: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

While the Americans look on despondently Photograph: MIKE BLAKE/REUTERS

In the final pairing, Woods misses a short putt on the 18th and then sportingly grants Molinari, whose ball was still six feet from the hole, a half point. So Europe have won 14.5 to 13.5. Photograph: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Truly exceptional. Olazabal is in tears Photograph: Chris Carlson/AP

The champagne is soon flowing, even before the Ryder Cup is handed to Olazabal! Photograph: Tannen Maury/EPA

Justin Rose, Lee Westwood, Jose Maria Olazabal, Luke Donald and Ian Poulter pose with the trophy after defeating the USA 14.5 to 13.5 Photograph: David Cannon/Getty Images

Team Europe Captain Jose Maria Olazabal celebrates winning the 2012 Ryder Cup Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images