Euro hero Donaldson in dreamland

Jamie Donaldson completed a "remarkable journey" from journeyman to hero at Gleneagles.

His 4&3 win over Keegan Bradley secured victory for Europe and the 38-year-old Welsh rookie did it in style, at the 15th with a 140-yard wedge second shot to inside two feet, prompting a US concession.

“It was a perfect number for a wedge downwind,” said Donaldson. “So all I had to do was get it on line and it was going to be the right club. For it to finish a foot from the hole, is quite a bonus. Quite a way to finish.”

Donaldson qualified for his first Ryder Cup with victory at the Czech Open last month, having kick-started his career with his maiden European Tour win in his 255th career start, the 2012 Irish Open at Royal Portrush.

“It’s been remarkable journey for me. I spoke to Paul (McGinley) before the team was selected. I just had two weeks in America playing the Bridgestone and PGA and hopefully securing it there, and I didn’t.

“Then I spoke to Paul on the phone and he said, ‘Listen, you’re going to have to go to Czech... to make enough money to qualify for the team, because the picks usually go to experienced players’. I went to Czech and played really well and did enough there to secure my place. So it’s a pretty incredible experience for me to get on the team and then be part of a winning team. It’s been an amazing few weeks.”