TEAM talisman Ian Poulter hailed the “incredible” comebacks of Justin Rose and Graeme McDowell as Europe retained the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles this afternoon.

With USA skipper Tom Watson forced to load his top order for the singles in the hope of overturning a 10-6 overnight deficit, his opposite number, Paul McGinley, fought fire with fire putting out major winners McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Hampshire’s Rose at one, three and four respectively.

The move ultimately paid off with a 16.5-11.5 scoreline but not before an early scare.

McDowell was three down after five to Jordan Spieth while the unbeaten Rose was four down after six to Hunter Mahan.

Spieth’s game deserted him on the back nine and McDowell took full advantage to post a 2&1 win while Rose birdied four holes in a row from the eighth to wipe out his deficit.

Mahan, a good friend of the Englishman (the pair are both based in America and share the same long and short game coaches), edged ahead with a birdie on the 14th but Rose held his nerve bag a vital half point with a conceded birdie on the par-five final hole after the American had made a complete hash of a greenside chip on his way to an ugly six.

A relieved Rose said: “I feel fortunate to have got a half out of that one but at this stage every little helps, especially the position I was in with three to go. I was really proud of getting back in the match. Hunter played really well today, throwing everything at me from the off.”

Hailing the stunning comeback, European teammate Poulter said: “The US came at us hard this morning, like we expected, but Graeme McDowell and Justin Rose managed to turn their matches around. It is just incredible.”

Earlier, McIlroy was an approximate eight under par in thrashing Rickie Fowler 5&4 to put the first European point on the board.

Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia and Jamie Donaldson bagged Europe’s other victories – the latter sealing the result with a stunning approach to the 15th, while Poulter and France’s Victor Dubuisson halved their contests.