Wadkins hit a sensational approach shot on the final hole

So near and yet so far as Tony Jacklin captained the Europeans in a gallant attempt to wrest back the Ryder Cup.

After the opening day, the visitors led for the first time on American soil. Both teams were level at 8-8 after the second day and as the match progressed into the singles, an almighty battle ensued.

A revitalised Seve Ballesteros was back in the team following his omission in 1981 and he was inspired by a stirring war-cry from his skipper.

Ballesteros was involved in a thrilling contest with Fuzzy Zoeller and the Spaniard looked invincible at three-up with seven to play, but then his game wobbled alarmingly.

He lost four holes in a row, but rallied at the 16th and needed to win the final hole to take the match.

Still 240 yards to the pin and sitting in a bunker, defeat now seemed inevitable, but Ballesteros hit a three wood close to the green and got down in two to grab a remarkable half.

A miraculous pitch from Lanny Wadkins on the final hole against Jose-Maria Canizares gave the American a half which ensured they retained the Cup.

When future captain Bernard Gallacher failed to get anything from his singles match with Tom Watson, the hosts celebrated yet another victory.

Foursomes: Morning
T Watson & B Crenshaw beat B Gallacher & S Lyle (5&4)
L Wadkins & C Stadler lost to N Faldo & B Langer (4&2)
R Floyd & B Gilder lost to J Canizares & S Torrance (4&3)
T Kite & C Peete beat S Ballesteros & P Way (2&1)

Fourballs: Afternoon
G Morgan & F Zoeller lost to B Waites & K Brown (2&1)
T Watson & J Haas beat N Faldo & B Langer (2&1)
R Floyd & C Strange lost to S Ballesteros & P Way (1 hole)
B Crenshaw & C Peete halved with S Torrance & I Woosnam

Fourballs: Morning
L Wadkins & C Stadler beat B Waites & K Brown (1 hole)
B Crenshaw & C Peete lost to N Faldo & B Langer (4&2)
G Morgan & J Haas halved with S Ballesteros & P Way
T Watson & B Gilder beat S Torrance & I Woosnam (5&4)

Foursomes: Afternoon
T Kite & R Floyd lost to N Faldo & B Langer (3&2)
G Morgan & L Wadkins beat S Torrance & J M Canizares (7&5)
T Watson & B Gilder lost to S Ballesteros & P Way (2&1)
J Haas & C Strange beat B Waites & K Brown (3&2)

Singles:
F Zoeller halved with S Ballesteros
J Haas lost to N Faldo (2&1)
G Morgan lost to B Langer (2 holes)
B Gilder beat G J Brand (2 holes)
B Crenshaw beat A Lyle (3&1)
C Peete beat B Waites (1 hole)
C Strange lost to P Way (2&1)
T Kite halved with S Torrance
C Stadler beat I Woosnam (3&2)
L Wadkins halved with J M Canizares
R Floyd lost to K Brown (4&3)
T Watson beat B Gallacher (2&1)