Fergie factor inspires GMac

They might have been dressed in blue but Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy proved to be true red devils for Paul McGinley at Gleneagles, closing out crucial early wins to send Europe to an eighth win from the last 10 Ryder Cup matches.

Alex Ferguson reminded the European players during the week of the never-say-die spirit that has characterised Manchester United over the years. And while McIlroy was like a runway train as he crushed Rickie Fowler 5 and 4, McDowell had to dig far deeper to put the first European point on the board against the 21-year old US young gun, Jordan Spieth.

Three down after five and still three down with nine holes to go, it looked as McDowell might be unable to carry out his mission for the skipper and put blue on the board straight away.