Monty seals record Cup triumph

Rampant Europe retained the Ryder Cup after dominating the last-day singles matches on Sunday to beat the United States by a record 18-1/2 points to 9-1/2.

Wildcard selection Colin Montgomerie secured victory with a one-hole win against David Toms at Oakland Hills Country Club before the Americans slumped to their heaviest defeat in the competition’s 77-year history.

The point gained by the 41-year-old Montgomerie took Europe to an unassailable total of 14-1/2 points, and that soon became 16-1/2 after rookies Ian Poulter of Britain and Frenchman Thomas Levet won against Chris Riley and Fred Funk.

Irishman Paul McGinley, who holed the winning putt for Europe at The Belfry in 2002, then beat Stewart Cink 3 & 2 before his compatriot Padraig Harrington put the icing on the cake, winning two up against veteran Jay Haas in the final game.