Monday 3 October 2016 07:45, UK
Darren Clarke was gracious in defeat and admitted Europe had been beaten by the better team after the USA stormed to a 17-11 win at the Ryder Cup.
Clarke's bid to steer Europe to an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory floundered at Hazeltine National as his side could not recover from a disastrous whitewash in the opening foursomes session on Friday morning.
The holders did reduce the deficit to one point after a spirited fightback, but Team USA took the final fourballs session 3-1 to establish a three-point lead which rarely looked under threat during the 12 singles matches.
Europe won three of the first five points on Sunday, but Martin Kaymer was the only other player to put blue on the board in the remaining matches as Davis Love's team ran out convincing winners.
"I couldn't be more proud of the guys that I'm surrounded with, they did everything I asked of them," said Clarke. "They tried their heart out, they worked hard and they fought hard.
"But the bottom line is that Davis's team holed a few more putts than we did, and they played better. So when it comes to it, the American Ryder Cup team deserved to win this Ryder Cup. We're all gutted and disappointed, but we will be back stronger to fight in two years' time in Paris."
Clarke also hinted that he regretted splitting the pairing of Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello for Saturday's crucial fourballs session, although he confirmed his line-up when the Spaniards were heading for a heavy defeat against Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth.
They staged a remarkable fightback over the closing holes to snatch a half, but Clarke had already opted to leave Cabrera Bello out of the fourballs and Garcia partnered Martin Kaymer in a 2&1 defeat to Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar.
Asked if he would change any of his decisions this week, Clarke told Sky Sports: "No. I really wouldn't. The only one I possibly may have changed was yesterday's 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.
"I just think this week the Americans have putted that much better and that makes all the difference between winning and losing. Congratulations to Davis and we'll try to win it back on our own patch in two years' time."
