Ryder Cup 2014 Standings: Live Look at Singles Scoring

It was always going to take a pretty epic comeback for the United States to win this year's Ryder Cup, and in the end, the European team was simply too strong, taking home a 16.5-11.5 victory.

Below, we'll take a look back at Sunday's singles results and recap the day's action. For the third time in a row, the Europeans remain the champions.

Results

Recap

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The United States had a huge task ahead of it Sunday, trying to erase a sizable 10-6 European advantage. It certainly didn't get off to a good start in that regard.

Rory McIlroy opened the day by hammering Rickie Fowler, 5 and 4, quickly taking Europe to an 11-6 advantage. McIlroy wasted little time establishing an advantage, winning the first three holes and five of the first six. So dominant was golf's top player that Fowler managed to win only one of the 14 holes played.

Ian Darke of ESPN pretty much said it all:

Not long after, Graeme McDowell made it 12-6 for Europe, taking a 2 and 1 victory over Jordan Spieth. The American golfer was actually three up by No. 9, but McDowell rallied, winning the next four holes and taking his advantage to two holes on the 15th. The young Spieth didn't have a rally in him, and Europe was one step closer to victory. 

Afterward, McDowell talked about his motivation for the comeback, via PGA Tour on Twitter:

Patrick Reed gave the United States some hope shortly after, however, with a 1-up win over Henrik Stenson in a back-and-forth match. Stenson went a stroke up in this match on No. 2, but Reed was able to pull things even on No. 8. That lead lasted only a hole, however, as Stenson evened things up.

Again, Reed took the lead on No. 11 and also won No. 12, but Stenson fought back and won Nos. 13 and 15 to even things up. After playing even on the next three holes, Reed finally won the advantage back for a third time on No. 17 and was able to hold on to the victory.

Of course, the moment from this match that people will likely remember the most is one gesture from Reed toward the crowd, per Telegraph Sport on Twitter:

But whatever joy Reed brought the Americans was quickly squashed by Martin Kaymer, who took a 4 and 2 victory over Bubba Watson. Kaymer came out hot and never looked back, going four up by No. 6 and never leading by less than three holes after that. 

Phil Mickelson's 3 and 1 win over Stephen Gallacher and Matt Kuchar's 4 and 3 win over Thomas Bjorn gave the United States the smallest glimmer of hope, though Justin Rose halving with Hunter Mahan—after the latter had led for almost the entirety of the match—left the United States in serious trouble.

Of course, Mahan's stumble was rendered a moot point shortly after, as Jamie Donaldson beat Keegan Bradley 5 and 3, clinching the title for Europe, leaving the last four unfinished matches meaningless. Of course, for Jim Furyk, there was one last little bit of indignity to play out in his contest against Sergio Garcia, per Justin Ray of the Golf Channel:

That's certainly not the statistic Furyk would have wanted to be associated with at this year's tournament.

So another year and another tournament win for the Europeans, who will look to make it four in a row in two years. With a slew of young and talented golfers, led by Spieth and Reed, and on its home soil, however, the United States should be quite formidable.

As always, it should be an intense and fun competition. Whether it's one that ends in glory or more heartbreak for the United States remains to be seen.