Day 3 recap: Kaymer's point gives Euros win

• By Golf Channel Digital
• Sep 30, 2012 6:36 PM ET

MEDINAH, Ill. – Match-by-match recaps of Day 3 of the 39^th Ryder Cup from Medinah Country Club, where the Europeans staged an epic comeback win. USA began the singles competition with a 10-6 lead and needed 4 1/2 points to capture the cup, but failed to do so.

Sunday singles: Europe  8 1/2, USA 3 1/2 (Total: Europe 14 1/2, US 13 1/2)

Tiger Woods vs. Francesco Molinari, halved

Many believed this match wouldn't matter. Turns out it didn't, but for completely different reasons. When Kaymer closed out the match ahead this one didn't matter. Still, Woods missed a short par putt that made him winless on the week at 0-3-1.

Martin Kaymer def. Steve Stricker, 1 up

Kaymer was considered Europe's weakest link and yet delivered the winning point to win the Ryder Cup. He did not play well, but Stricker had no gas left in the tank. Tiger Woods was in the last match, but it didn't matter, the cup was essentially over here.

Jason Dufner def. Peter Hanson, 2 up

Huge victory for the U.S. as it tied the score at 13 a piece. Next point wins with only two matches on the course. The rookie Dufner was 3-1 on the week and, although he didn't play his best in singles, it was enough for a full point. Still not sure he's smiled.

Sergio Garcia def. Jim Furyk, 1 up

Furyk has not had a great summer blowing the U.S. Open, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and now a 1-up lead with two holes remaining in a critical singles match against Sergio Garcia. Neither man played well but Furyk coughed up the match with bogeys on 17 and 18.

Lee Westwood def. Matt Kuchar, 3 and 2

Westwood played poorly all week and Kuchar played well. But this match was the complete opposite as Westwood was steady and Kuchar was erratic. Europe's Ryder Cup veteran kept the momentum going for his team in a crucial position.

Luke Donald def. Bubba Watson, 2 and 1

Recap: The Englishman birdied two of his first four holes, halved a hole despite a tee shot into the water (13th) and led by four holes with six to play yet still needed a sand save at the penultimate hole to secure Europe’s first point of the day and, at least momentarily, quiet the Chicagoland masses.

Paul Lawrie def. Brandt Snedeker, 5 and 3

Recap: An early shocker as Lawrie cruised to an easy victory with five birdies to record his first point of the week. Snedeker's week began with a loss and ended with one in his rookie performance. 

Rory McIlroy def. Keegan Bradley, 2 and 1

Recap: The world No. 1 nearly missed his tee time because he misinterpreted the time zone, a surreal episode that included a police escort from the team hotel, but didn’t miss much the rest of the way. The Ulsterman pulled away with back-to-back birdies at Nos. 14 and 15 to hand the American rookie his only loss this week.

Ian Poulter def. Webb Simpson, 2 up

Recap: The emotional soul of the European team set the tone early with a chip-in birdie at the first and pulled the Continent even with the home team, 10-10. He also improved to 4-0 for the week and 4-0 in career singles play.

Dustin Johnson def. Nicolas Colsaerts, 3 and 2

Recap: The first American point goes on the board after four European points to open the session. Johnson was clearly the better talent, producing six birdies in his match and ending the week a perfect 3-0.

Justin Rose def. Phil Mickelson, 1 up

Recap: Mickelson was 1 up with two remaining and Rose made consecutive birdies to steal the match and give Europe a full point in each of the first five matches. The Rose rally ruined Mickelson's perfect record.

Zach Johnson def. Graeme McDowell, 2 and 1

Johnson didn’t play particularly well and McDowell handed him this match by making four bogeys in the first 13 holes. A hugely disappointing week for McDowell (1-3) and a great one for Johnson (3-1).

• Click here for Day 2 match-by-match recaps

• Click here for Day 1 match-by-match recaps

Relive Day 2 Ryder Cup matches Monday at 8 p.m. ET and the singles matches Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.