When Europe’s golfers celebrated another Ryder Cup victory on Sunday evening, the emotions were mixed. 

Relief, certainly, after surviving a late American onslaught. Pride, too, in a performance that for two days bordered on flawless. 

And perhaps, amid the champagne-soaked smiles, a familiar satisfaction: once again, in a contest defined by individuals, it was the stronger team that triumphed.

The scoreboard told the story: Europe 15, USA 13: a narrow margin, but one built on a platform of dominance.