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Europe captain Paul McGinley: "We lift this trophy not just on behalf of the players but also on behalf of every one of the people in the continent - all languages, cultures and religions. I'm sure that everyone is proud to stand behind these players.

"To Tom and the United States team, although you don't carry the trophy you have won as participants in another staging of the Ryder Cup, in the skill and exuberance you have shown that will encourage people to take up our great sport and in helping promote golf as it faces the challenges of modern time.

"In winning a Ryder Cup as captain will now forever be linked in history with my golfing hero Tom Watson. Thank you to all the fans for your unbelievable and always noisy support."