Shane Lowry makes honest admission after holding nerve to retain Ryder Cup for Europe

European golfing hero Shane Lowry reacted to retaining the Ryder Cup for Europe by admitting he has just endured the "hardest couple of hours my life".

Luke Donald's team had started the day with a huge six-point lead, but a series of late American victories on singles Sunday saw the visitors' lead masssively reduced, setting up a tense finale.

By when Russel Henley missed a putt for birdie on the 18th green, it was left to Irishman Lowry to secure the half point that would ensure the Samuel Ryder trophy would be returning with him back to Europe.

The former Open champion duly obliged, sparking wild scenes of celebration in front of the 18th grandstand.

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Speaking to Sky Sports after his triumph, Lowry told Sky Sports: "I've been so lucky to experience amazing things in this game, that was the hardest couple of hours of my life. Honestly. I just can't believe it. I can't believe that putt went in. I was just stood over it going, 'Well, this is it.' I said to Darren walking down to 18, 'I have the chance to do the coolest thing in my life here.'

"The Ryder Cup means everything to me, honestly. I won The Open in Ireland, it's amazing it's a dream come true, but the Ryder Cup for me is everything. To do that there today in front of everyone, it's like...it was so hard out there. I mean, fair play to the US lads, like, we knew they were going to come out fighting.

"But yeah. I just hope one of the boys can get a half-point so we can get the win. Obviously we retain the cup but we want a win as well."

Lowry's hopes of winning the cup outright were realised when Tyyrell Hatton secured the half point required on the 18th green to seal the most nervy of wins when a record victory for Europe had looked on the cards at the start of the day.

And Sam Burns' missed putt on the final hole of the final match handed Scotland's Robert McIntyre a half point to complete a 15-13 victory for Europe at Bethpage Black.