U.S. team wins Ryder Cup

LOUSVILLE, Ky., Sept. 21 (UPI) -- A victory by Jim Furyk Sunday clinched a United States win over Europe in the 2008 Ryder Cup.

Furyk's 2 and 1 decision over Miguel Angel Jimenez at Valhalla in Louisville, Ky., gave the U.S. team 14 1/2 points, the number it needed to capture the cup for the first time since 1999.

The United States ended up with 16 1/2 points to 11 1/2 for Europe.

European teams had won five of the last six Ryder Cups, including three in a row.

In the 2002 cup, Furyk halved his final match, a result that gave the European team the points it needed to win.

"It's an awful feeling," Furyk said, referring to the 2002 cup. "It's nice to be in this spot."

Paul Azinger, the U.S. team captain, said he "couldn't be happier" with his team's play at Valhalla.

Other U.S. winners on the match-play event's final day of play were Anthony Kim. J.B. Holmes, Kenny Perry, Boo Weekley, Chad Campbell and Ben Curtis.

Europe's winners were Robert Karlsson, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell.