They made us pay for a mistake every time US captain Tom Lehman

"I just don't think there's ever been a European team which has played better," said Lehman.

"I tip my hat to them. They played incredibly well, they putted amazingly well and they drove it on the fairway.

"They were inspired, the crowd gave them momentum. Our team came ready but maybe we weren't quite ready enough."

Interview: US team captain Tom Lehman

Reaction: Europe win Ryder Cup

Lehman said he was pleased at the spirit the match had been played in, and the contribution of the K Club's vocal crowd.

"The crowd was great and the players genuinely played with respect for each other," he said.

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"They played tough and were full of emotion and passion but it was a well-played match. The guys were simply fantastic."

Despite the record-equalling margin of defeat, Lehman defended his preparations for the 36th Ryder Cup.

"I do know that everything we did for a reason and with the best possible intention," he said.

"You always think about what you could have done better or changed but at the end of the day you still have to put the ball in the hole and we didn't do that enough.