Jose Maria Olazabal broke down in tears as the floodgates opened on the final day for a stunning European Team victory.

Olazabal’s magnificent dozen came from four points behind heading into the Singles to win by one point – 14 1/2 to 13 1/2  in arguably the greatest come-from-behind victories in the 85-year history of the Ryder Cup.

Olazabal said:  ” Well, Seve will always be present.  Seve will always be present with this team.  He was a big factor for this event, for the European side, and last night when we were having that meeting, I think the boys understood that believing was the most important thing, and I think they did.”

“It’s been a tough week.  The first two days nothing went our way.  We struggled on the greens, and this morning I felt a little change in that regard, and we started to make a few putts.

“The Americans just started to miss them.  And winning those few matches, that was key.

“I’ve been under pressure hitting shots, but today tops that.

“So it’s been an unbelievable day.  It’s true that yesterday I think we felt that something was going our way in those last two matches.  They were crucial for the outcome of this match.

“And last night, when we got together at the team meeting, all I did was just tell the boys that I still believed that we could turn things around, that all we needed was just to be a little bit more effective on the greens and to make a few more putts, and that would change the tide for us.

“The players believed, and you know, what happened today, I think it will go‑‑ it will go down in the history books of The Ryder Cup.  You know, it was a huge comeback, and I’m really happy for these 12 wonderful men.”