No regrets except the result – Pavin

Trailing by three at the start of yesterday's singles, the United States came within half a point of retaining the Cup and becoming the first American team since 1993 to deny the Europeans victory on home soil.

Pavin's men won three of the four sessions and the visiting captain said: "I was very proud of how hard my team fought all week. We would win as a team and lose as a team.

"I'm proud of every single one of them and their caddies and everybody that's part of Team USA.

"(Yesterday) I just went with the line-up I thought was best. We went out strong, with experience. But I felt like every player was playing well on the team but I wanted experience up front and I wanted experience in the back. And it nearly worked out."

Pavin might not have betrayed his emotions as readily as opposite number Colin Montgomerie out on the course, but revealed feelings and tension were still running high for everyone on his team.

"It's been different in the team room but I wanted to be calm," said the three-time Ryder Cup player. "I wanted to be a calming effect on them as well.

"I have no regrets. I'm quite content with everything except maybe the result."

The two captains shared an embrace on the 17th green after Graeme McDowell's clinching win and Pavin, who was holding back the tears at the closing ceremony, said of the exchange: "We just respect each other for what the Ryder Cup is.

"It means a lot to both of us and obviously I congratulated him on a job well done and he said our guys fought hard and he congratulated me as well."