U.S. stumbles to Ryder loss

STRAFFAN, Ireland — Even after the skies cleared over Ireland, it kept right on pouring. First came the tears of Darren Clarke, the inspiration of this Ryder Cup, and then a shower of champagne as the Europeans celebrated another romp.

Ian Woosnam popped the cork off the first bottle, dousing his team on the 18th green and later drinking it so quickly that it shot up his nose. Clarke toasted the delirious Irish crowd by guzzling a pint of Guinness from a balcony and raising the empty glass like a trophy.

Even with Tiger Woods getting to pick his partner and finishing with a winning record for the first time in the Ryder Cup, it still didn't change the outcome from two years ago.

Europe 18 1/2, United States 9 1/2.

There's no doubt who owns the Ryder Cup — and not just the shiny gold trophy.

"I don't know in the history of the Ryder Cup any European team that has played better than you guys," U.S. captain Tom Lehman told them at the closing ceremony Sunday after his American team endured its worst beating ever in the 12 singles matches.

The Europeans wanted to win this one for Clarke and the memory of his wife, Heather, who died of breast cancer six weeks ago to the day.

They wanted to win for Woosnam, their pint-sized captain who made all the right moves once the tournament started.

Mostly — as always — they wanted to win for each other.

"That's what we do on this team," said Colin Montgomerie, who tied a Ryder Cup record with his sixth singles victory. "We play for each other. We're all just thrilled. And yes, we're going to have a big party."

Luke Donald holed a 10-foot par putt on the 16th hole for Europe's 14th point, all it needed to keep the trophy. Moments later, Henrik Stenson won his match for an outright victory, the first European team to win three in a row.

"This is the pinnacle of my life," said Woosnam, a former Masters champion and once No. 1 in the world.

The celebration was well under way when Clarke won his match against Zach Johnson, and soon the tears flowed as Clarke cried on the shoulder of caddie Billy Foster, then in the arms of Woosnam, sobbing mixed with songs and cheers.