Ryder Cup 2018: Europe again defends its soil against the United States

Rahm, a star from the Spaniard and former Arizona-state who played in his first Ryder Cup, showed signs of nerves throughout the series . But he was able to close Woods on the 17th hole.

"It's disappointing because I went 0-4, and that's four points for the European team," said Woods. "And I'm one of the factors that have contributed to why we've lost the cup, and it's not very fun, it's frustrating because we came here, I thought we were all pretty good, and I just did not perform on the level that I had played, and just got lost early in the games and never came back. "

Woods, 42, is now 13-21-3 in total at the Ryder Cup.

Olesen, who was not picked to play all Saturday, overwhelmed the American star Jordan Spieth, 5 and 4 Poulter, a 42-year-old Englishman who had been a team leader on and off the track for a long time, remained unbeaten in a few by defeating Dustin Johnson, 2.

That gave Europe 13 points and guaranteed a victory with Stensen, García and Molinari still on the track, but secured at least half a point in all their matches.

It was, very appropriate, left to Molinari to make it official. And although the struggling Mickelson, who was held out of Saturday's team games, could have narrowed Molinari's gap on a single hole with a long birdie putt on the eleventh hole, he soon lost touch again.

Mickelson's tee shot on the par-3 16th did not manage to reach dry land, he cringed, took off his cap and gave it to the obvious and the match to Molinari.

"This could very well, realistically, be my last one," said the 48-year-old Mickelson about the Cup. "But with these guys I am now motivated to work hard and not go out on this note."