The United States appeared to have the 2012 Ryder Cup in hand entering Sunday's singles action, but Europe won eight singles matches to earn the win.

Martin Kaymer's tournament-winning putt on the 18th hole ensured that the title would stay with Europe:

The tournament's final day was as riveting as golf can get, with the final two matches holding the entire field's fate in their hands.

Tiger Woods played the role of anchor for the USA on Sunday, but Kaymer's putt on the 18th made Woods' halved match a moot point. 

Let's put the Americans' failure to close this one out in perspective with a tweet from PGATour.com's Brian Wacker:

 

*Results courtesy of rydercup.com

 

UPDATE: Sunday, Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

Final Overall Score

USA

Europe
13.5 14.5

 

Final Singles Scores

Players Winner
Martin Kaymer vs. Steve Stricker Europe wins 1Up
Francesco Molinari vs. Tiger Woods Halved
Luke Donald vs. Bubba Watson Europe wins 2&1
Ian Poulter vs. Webb Simpson Europe wins 2Up
Rory McIlroy vs. Keegan Bradley Europe wins 2&1
Justin Rose vs. Phil Mickelson Europe wins 1Up
Paul Lawrie vs. Brandt Snedeker Europe wins 5&3
Nicolas Colsaerts vs. Dustin Johnson USA wins 3&2
Graeme McDowell vs. Zach Johnson USA wins 2&1
Lee Westwood vs. Matt Kuchar Europe wins 3&2
Sergio Garcia vs. Jim Furyk Europe wins 1Up
Peter Hanson vs. Jason Dufner USA wins 2Up

 

---End of Update---

 

UPDATE: Sunday, Sept. 30 at 6:20 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

 

Updated Overall Score

USA

Europe
13 14

 

Updated Singles Scores

Players Winner
Martin Kaymer vs. Steve Stricker Europe wins 1Up
Francesco Molinari vs. Tiger Woods USA 1Up thru 17
Luke Donald vs. Bubba Watson Europe wins 2&1
Ian Poulter vs. Webb Simpson Europe wins 2Up
Rory McIlroy vs. Keegan Bradley Europe wins 2&1
Justin Rose vs. Phil Mickelson Europe wins 1Up
Paul Lawrie vs. Brandt Snedeker Europe wins 5&3
Nicolas Colsaerts vs. Dustin Johnson USA wins 3&2
Graeme McDowell vs. Zach Johnson USA wins 2&1
Lee Westwood vs. Matt Kuchar Europe wins 3&2
Sergio Garcia vs. Jim Furyk Europe wins 1Up
Peter Hanson vs. Jason Dufner USA wins 2Up

Woods still has one hole to play against Molinari, but Stricker's loss to Kaymer makes the result irrelevant.

 

---End of Update---

 

UPDATE: Sunday, Sept. 30 at 6:10 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

Updated Overall Score

USA

Europe
13 13

 

Updated Singles Scores

Players Winner
Martin Kaymer vs. Steve Stricker Europe 1Up thru 17
Francesco Molinari vs. Tiger Woods USA 1Up thru 17
Luke Donald vs. Bubba Watson Europe wins 2&1
Ian Poulter vs. Webb Simpson Europe wins 2Up
Rory McIlroy vs. Keegan Bradley Europe wins 2&1
Justin Rose vs. Phil Mickelson Europe wins 1Up
Paul Lawrie vs. Brandt Snedeker Europe wins 5&3
Nicolas Colsaerts vs. Dustin Johnson USA wins 3&2
Graeme McDowell vs. Zach Johnson USA wins 2&1
Lee Westwood vs. Matt Kuchar Europe wins 3&2
Sergio Garcia vs. Jim Furyk Europe wins 1Up
Peter Hanson vs. Jason Dufner USA wins 2Up

In case you missed it, check out Woods' birdie putt on hole No. 3:

 

---End of Update---

 

UPDATE: Sunday, Sept. 30 at 6:01 p.m. by Ian Hanford

 

Updated Overall Score

USA

Europe
13 13

 

Updated Singles Scores

Players Winner
Martin Kaymer vs. Steve Stricker Europe 1Up thru 17
Francesco Molinari vs. Tiger Woods AS thru 16
Luke Donald vs. Bubba Watson Europe wins 2&1
Ian Poulter vs. Webb Simpson Europe wins 2Up
Rory McIlroy vs. Keegan Bradley Europe wins 2&1
Justin Rose vs. Phil Mickelson Europe wins 1Up
Paul Lawrie vs. Brandt Snedeker Europe wins 5&3
Nicolas Colsaerts vs. Dustin Johnson USA wins 3&2
Graeme McDowell vs. Zach Johnson USA wins 2&1
Lee Westwood vs. Matt Kuchar Europe wins 3&2
Sergio Garcia vs. Jim Furyk Europe wins 1Up
Peter Hanson vs. Jason Dufner USA wins 2Up

These matches are as tight as it gets. Martin Kaymer's current lead was made partially possible by this birdie on hole No. 9:

 

---End of Update---

 

Overall Score

USA Europe
13 13

 

Singles Scores

*European player on the left

 

Players Winner
Martin Kaymer vs. Steve Stricker AS thru 16
Francesco Molinari vs. Tiger Woods AS thru 16
Luke Donald vs. Bubba Watson Europe wins 2&1
Ian Poulter vs. Webb Simpson Europe wins 2Up
Rory McIlroy vs. Keegan Bradley Europe wins 2&1
Justin Rose vs. Phil Mickelson Europe wins 1Up
Paul Lawrie vs. Brandt Snedeker Europe wins 5&3
Nicolas Colsaerts vs. Dustin Johnson USA wins 3&2
Graeme McDowell vs. Zach Johnson USA wins 2&1
Lee Westwood vs. Matt Kuchar Europe wins 3&2
Sergio Garcia vs. Jim Furyk Europe wins 1Up
Peter Hanson vs. Jason Dufner USA wins 2Up

 

Woods and Stricker are the only two American players left in action. They're also the only two who have yet to earn a point for their country. With both matches tied, this tournament's final holes should have you on the edge of your seat.