Europe have retained the Ryder Cup after an extraordinary comeback against the United States at the Medinah Country Club in Chicago to win 14½-13 ½.

Martin Kaymer hit the winning putt on the 18th to defeat Steve Stricker in the penultimate individual match on the final day of the biannual event.

A tearful José María Olazábal was restrained in victory as he paid tribute to the memory of his late friend and former Ryder Cup-winning Seve Ballesteros, having followed in his footsteps as a successful European skipper.

Trailing 10-6 at the beginning of play, Europe mounted a phenomenal comeback to silence a boisterous Illinois crowd to win their fifth Ryder Cup of the century.

Luke Donald dominated crowd favourite Bubba Watson in the first match on Sunday while Paul Lawrie, playing in his first Ryder Cup since 1999 at Brookline, was imperious as he won with three holes remaining against Brandt Snedeker.

Rory McIlroy, who arrived at the course with just 10 minutes until he was due to tee off and via a police car having got the time zones mixed up, defeated putting cheerleader Keegan Bradley. Ian Poulter then won against Webb Simpson having not lead until the penultimate hole, but it was Justin Rose's miraculous victory against Phil Mickelson which was arguably the catalyst for the remarkable triumph.

Rose was on the verge of going 2 down to the American on the 16th, however he holed three gutsy putts on the final three holes to leave Mickelson gobsmacked. The four-time major winner even sportingly gave his English opponent a thumbs up when he halved with two holes remaining.

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• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Martin Kaymer of Europe celebrates after holing the decisive putt on the 18th green during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Sergio Garcia of Europe celebrates an eagle on the tenth hole with his caddie Wayne Richardson during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Phil Mickelson of the USA reacts to a shot on the 17th hole during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Jim Furyk of the USA (R) reacts to a missed par putt on the 18th green as Sergio Garcia and the European team celebrate during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Zach Johnson of the USA celebrates with his caddie Damon Green on the 17th green during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

• GLF-RYDER CUP-EUROPE-USA

  Martin Kaymer of Germany celebrates winning the 17th hole during the Singles Match on the final day of the 39th Ryder Cup at the Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages)

• GLF-RYDER CUP-EUROPE-USA

  Martin Kaymer of Germany celebrates winning the 17th hole during the Singles Match on the final day of the 39th Ryder Cup at the Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Sergio Garcia of Europe (L) shakes hands with Jim Furyk of the USA on the 18th green after defeating Furyk 1up during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Rory McIlroy of Europe shakes hands with Keegan Bradley of the USA on the 17th green after defeating Bradley 2&1 during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Martin Kaymer of Europe celebrates a par putt on the 17th green as Steve Stricker of the USA looks on during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Martin Kaymer of Europe celebrates a par putt on the 17th green during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Rory McIlroy of Europe celebrates after Martin Kaymer holed the decisive putt on the 18th green during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

• GLF-RYDER CUP-EUROPE-USA

  Team Europe's Martin Kaymer of Germany jumps on a teammate after winning the 18th hole to retain the Ryder Cup at the Medinah Country Club September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages)

• GLF-RYDER CUP-EUROPE-USA

  Team Europe's Martin Kaymer of Germany jumps on a teammate after winning the 18th hole to retain the Ryder Cup at the Medinah Country Club September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages)

• GLF-RYDER CUP-EUROPE-USA

  Team Europe's Martin Kaymer (L) of Germany jumps on a teammate after winning the 18th hole to retain the Ryder Cup at the Medinah Country Club September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages)

• GLF-RYDER CUP-EUROPE-USA

  Team Europe's Martin Kaymer (top L) of Germany is embraced by Sergio Garcia of Spain as Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland (R) cheers after winning the 18th hole to retain the Ryder Cup after a Singles Match on the final day of the 39th Ryder Cup at the Medinah Country Club September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Martin Kaymer is mobbed by the European team after he holed the decisive putt on the 18th green during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

• GLF-RYDER CUP-EUROPE-USA

  Team Europe's Martin Kaymer of Germany is embraced by teammate Sergio Garcia of Spain after winning the 18th hole to retain the Ryder Cup after a Singles Match on the final day of the 39th Ryder Cup at the Medinah Country Club September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. Europe produced the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history to reel in the United States and retain the trophy. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Martin Kaymer of Europe lines up the decisive putt on the 18th green during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

• GLF-RYDER CUP-EUROPE-USA

  Team Europe's Martin Kaymer of Germany celebrates after winning the 18th hole to retain the Ryder Cup after a Singles Match on the final day of the 39th Ryder Cup at the Medinah Country Club September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Europe fans celebrate after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Francesco Molinari of Europe celebrates with his caddie Jason Hempleman on the 18th green after halving his match with Tiger Woods during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Martin Kaymer of Europe celebrates after making the winning putt on the 18th green to win The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Martin Kaymer of Europe celebrates after making the winning putt on the 18th green to win The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Paul Lawrie (R) of Europe celebrates with his wife Marian and caddie David Kenny after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Davis Love III waits with some of his team at the end of the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Ian Poulter (L) Justin Rose celebrate after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Sergio Garcia (L) and Ian Poulter celebrate after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: European team captain Jose Maria Olazabal celebrates after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: European team captain Jose Maria Olazabal (L) and Justin Rose celebrate after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Lee Westwood celebrates after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Tiger Woods of the USA reacts to a shot during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Rory McIlroy of Europe (L) and Tiger Woods of the USA greet each other on the 18th green after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Rory McIlroy of Europe (L) and Tiger Woods of the USA greet each other on the 18th green after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Rory McIlroy of Europe (L) and Tiger Woods of the USA greet each other on the 18th green after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Lee Westwood celebrates after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Francesco Molinari celebrates after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Rory McIlroy celebrates after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Ian Poulter celebrates after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: A scoreboard is seen after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Francesco Molinari celebrates after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

• GLF-RYDER CUP-EUROPE-USA

  English golfers Justin Rose (R) and Ian Poulter (L) spray champagne as they celebrate their victory to retain the Ryder Cup for the Europeans on the final day of play for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Golf Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. Europe produced the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history to reel in the United States and retain the trophy. AFP PHOTO/Jim WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Ian Poulter celebrates after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

• GLF-RYDER CUP-EUROPE-USA

  English golfers Justin Rose (R) and Ian Poulter (C) and Graeme McDowell (L) of Northern Ireland spray champagne as they celebrate their victory to retain the Ryder Cup for the Europeans on the final day of play at the 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Golf Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. Europe produced the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history to reel in the United States and retain the trophy. AFP PHOTO/Jim WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/GettyImages)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: (L-R) Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and Peter Hanson celebrate after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: (L-R) Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and Peter Hanson celebrate after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: (L-R) Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and Peter Hanson celebrate after Europe defeated the USA 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Martin Kaymer is mobbed by the European team after he holed the decisive putt on the 18th green during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

• GLF-RYDER CUP-EUROPE-USA

  Team Europe's Martin Kaymer of Gernamy lines up a putt the 18th hole to retain the Ryder Cup on the final day of the 39th Ryder Cup at the Medinah Country Club September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. Europe produced the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history to reel in the United States and retain the trophy. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Martin Kaymer is mobbed by the European team after he holed the decisive putt on the 18th green during the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

• Ryder Cup - Day Three Singles

  MEDINAH, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: (L-R) Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson, Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson wait with some of their team at the end of the Singles Matches for The 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on September 30, 2012 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

But on the 18th Rose, who admitted he thought of the Ballesteros for inspiration before he took his putt, sunk his effort to strike a significant psychological blow as the home galleries hushed. Mickelson remained typically magnanimous, however.

Dustin Johnson and Zach Johnson got the Americans on the scoreboard to maintain their now-slender lead with Europe needing to score eight points on the final day to retain the trophy.

But victory was tangible when Jim Furyk gifted victory to Sergio Garcia on the final hole. The 2003 US Open winner was inconsolable as his putting game deserted him in the final three holes in a duel which swayed regularly, as the Spaniard won his first ever Ryder Cup singles match.

Lee Westwood won comfortably against Martin Kuchar but Jason Dufner triumphed over the erratic Swede Peter Hanson.

Kaymer, dominant against Stricker, struggled to pull away from his opponent but edged ahead on the 17th. With the score at 13-13 and with Tiger Woods facing Francesco Molinari behind him, Kaymer knew destiny was in his hands as long as he avoided defeat on the 18th.

He and Stricker both reached the green in two, but the wind, which had dried out the putting conditions ensured both their efforts ran past the hole.

Stricker, who had struggled with his putting all week, holed nervelessly for par but Kaymer still had the opportunity to gain the magical 14th point. Memories of Bernhard Langher's failure at Kiawah Island in 1991 were dashed when his putt, firm and straight, sent the European galleries into raptures.

Olazábal, shadowing Molinari, immediately looked up to the heavens and was sombrely embraced by the inspirational Poulter.

The Spaniard did display humour in victory when he handed McIlroy an alarm clock and told him: "Don't ever be late for a team event again".

Europe also left it late after yielding just six points in two days, but it continued an exhilarating year of sport.

@bubbawatson
bubba watson

Wow! What a finish. Congrats to Europe! #RyderCup

September 30, 2012 10:33 pm via Echofon Reply Retweet Favorite