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Ryder Cup player ratings

Ian Poulter: 9/10 © Getty Images

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After Europe defeated America 14 ½ - 13 ½ in one of the most thrilling Ryder Cups in memory, we rate the stars of the show:

European Ratings - Players sorted by world ranking, 2010 Ryder Cup record in brackets

Lee Westwood (W2 H1 L1): Despite huge fears over his fitness in the lead-up to the tournament, Westwood arrived in fine shape - the trimmest he's looked in years - and appeared unaffected by the leg problem that threatened to stop him participating. The world No. 2 did much to fuel Europe's charge on Sunday as he and Luke Donald helped inflict a record Ryder Cup defeat on Tiger Woods, while he proved a steadying influence when rookie partner Martin Kaymer had some early troubles. Although he lost his singles match against Steve Stricker, the fact Colin Montgomerie sent him out first said everything about how well he performed over the first three days. 8/10

Martin Kaymer (2-1-1) : The US PGA champion arrived at Celtic Manor with a swell of momentum behind him, and he just about lived up to the lofty expectations hoisted on his shoulders. Kaymer - only the second German to play at the Ryder Cup - looked overawed by the occasion at times, but his battling qualities were in evidence as he and Ian Poulter edged out Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler for a crucial win on Sunday. 7/10

Luke Donald (3-0-1): When Donald and Padraig Harrington were well beaten on the first day, doubts about his temperament resurfaced. But the world No. 8 swatted away the criticism in the best way possible by storming to victory in each of his subsequent matches. On a course ideally suited to his accurate game, Donald showed the full spectrum of his talents - he was able to grind out a win against Jim Furyk in the singles, while he used his devastating short game to destroy Woods & Stricker. Probably the best player on show. 9/10

Rory McIlroy (1-2-1): Although McIlroy had a tendency to put his foot in his mouth during the verbal jousting in the run-up to the tournament, he let his golf do the talking when battle commenced. Playing in his first Ryder Cup, the 21-year-old never reached his scintillating best - but his willingness to fight to the bitter end, exemplified when he picked up a half point on the 18th against Stewart Cink in the singles, meant that he was only defeated once. 7/10

Rory McIlroy: 7/10 © PA Photos

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Graeme McDowell (2-1-1): The US Open winner continued his remarkable year by etching his name into Ryder Cup folklore with a win in the anchor match in the singles against Hunter Mahan. His 2 ½-point contribution was nothing short of vital to Europe, while his burning desire to win surely injected his team-mates with added motivation. 8/10

Edoardo Molinari (0-2-1): The Italian - one of Montgomerie's wildcard choices - made Europe's route to glory more difficult than it might have been when he frittered away a comfortable lead against Rickie Fowler on the final day. Furthermore, a total of one point was an underwhelming return from the world No. 13 - certainly, it is hard to envisage that Paul Casey would have fared worse. All that said, he deserves credit for battling tenaciously alongside brother Francesco against Matt Kuchar and Cink in the fourballs. 5/10

Ian Poulter (3-0-1): While some men shrink under the unflinching glare of the spotlight, Poulter is galvanized by the big occasion. Despite entering the tournament with an underwhelming run of form behind him, the Englishman raised his game when it mattered most. Having already accumulated two points, Poulter faced an arduous final-day singles clash against Matt Kuchar, arguably the most consistent player in the world in 2010. He brushed aside the American with the minimum of fuss, laying down a marker by triumphing 5&4. 9/10

Padraig Harrington (2-0-2): The three-time Major winner admitted in the run-up to the tournament that he had a point to prove after being preferred to Casey as one of Montgomerie's picks. Although he ostensibly did quite well, delivering two points, that record does not accurately reflect the volatility of much of his play - particularly from the tee. Perhaps most tellingly, he was sent out in the penultimate group of the singles - a real show of faith from Montgomerie - and was well beaten by Zach Johnson. 5.5/10

Stewart Cink: 7.5/10 © Getty Images

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Miguel Angel Jimenez (2-0-1): The Spaniard entered the tournament with a frankly dismal Ryder Cup record, meaning expectations were justifiably low. It was unsurprising, then, that he got off to a sluggish start by sinking to an unimpressive defeat in his first outing. But Jimenez has found an extra gear this year - winning three times on the European Tour - and he showcased his improvement with two wins, including a first-ever singles triumph. All in all, a great effort from a man the US would have targeted as a weak link. 7/10

Ross Fisher (2-0-2): The Irish Open winner showed remarkable composure in testing circumstances - particularly considering that this was his first Ryder Cup - as he hauled a misfiring Harrington over the line against Furyk and Dustin Johnson on Sunday. When he was good, he was as good as anyone - particularly on the greens - but he had his difficulties, and fell prey to some damaging lapses in concentration. A mixed bag, but bodes well for the future. 7/10.

Francesco Molinari (0-1-2): Statistically, the Italian - who delivered half a point from his three matches - was the worst-performing member of the European team. While those bald facts perhaps don't quite reflect his contribution, he will feel aggrieved that he was unable to overcome his demons on the putting surface. What's more, his usual straight-hitting - the aspect of his game he usually hangs his hat on - deserted him when it mattered most. 4/10

Peter Hanson (1-0-2): Although he suffered the ignominy of becoming the only man to drop a point to the woeful Phil Mickelson, the Swede did OK. Considering that he is the world No. 41 and that he was suffering with illness in the week before the tournament, a return of one point from three matches is about all that could have been expected. 5/10

America:

Tiger Woods (3-0-1): 8/10 - Phil Mickelson (1-0-3): 4/10 - Steve Stricker (3-0-1): 8/10 - Jim Furyk (0-1-2) 4/10 - Matt Kuchar (1-2-1): 7/10 - Dustin Johnson (1-0-3): 5/10 - Hunter Mahan (1-0-2) 5.5/10 - Zach Johnson (1-0-3): 5/10 - Bubba Watson (1-0-3): 5/10 - Rickie Fowler (0-2-1): 5.5/10 - Stewart Cink (1-3-0): 7.5/10 - Jeff Overton (2-0-2): 7/10

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