Image source, Getty Images

Still Rickie Fowler awaits his first Ryder Cup win. He has played pretty well this week for me, but has run into some serious European form.

Honours even on the 16th green and the Henrik Stenson/Patrick Reed dust-up is guaranteed a trip up the 18th.

As both players pursue their tee-shots on 17, Stenson offers a cheery thumbs-up to the camera. Reed has the blinkers on, marching forward, taking no notice.

Graeme McDowell beat Jordan Spieth 2&1

Henrik Stenson v Patrick Reed - A/S after 16

Rory McIlroy beat Rickie Fowler 5&4

Justin Rose v Hunter Mahan - USA 1UP after 15

Stephen Gallacher v Phil Mickelson - A/S after 14

Martin Kaymer v Bubba Watson - Europe 4UP after 13

Thomas Bjorn v Matt Kuchar - USA 3UP after 12

Sergio Garcia v Jim Furyk - USA 1UP after 10

Ian Poulter v Webb Simpson - Europe 1UP after 10

Jamie Donaldson v Keegan Bradley - Europe 1UP after 8

Lee Westwood v Jimmy Walker - USA 1UP after 8

Victor Dubuisson v Zach Johnson - A/S after 6

Image source, AFP

Image source, Getty Images

Two points away.

That Graeme McDowell win makes it Europe 12-6 USA on the board.

As it stands, those on the blue side of the Atlantic are heading for a 16.5-11.5 win.

Image source, Getty Images

Graeme McDowell splashes out to within six feet, and with Jordan Spieth missing his monster back up the hill, he has a putt to close out the victory.

Right into the heart of the hole. Rory Mcllroy is among the first out on the green to congratulate his countryman. Well played Spieth, though, in his first Ryder Cup.

Steve Ashfield:, external With 8 GB and NI players in top 44 do we need this to be Europe v USA? If Europe keep winning the interest in this will wane.

Probably wouldn't be very popular with the French, the next European hosts of the Ryder Cup (in 2018) and whose Victor Dubuisson is potentially the next big thing on the continent.

Duncan Wainscott:, external Feel sorry for Fowler. Did very little wrong but got hit by a Rory tidal wave.

Ian Poulter, one up, with an eight-footer to double that advantage. It slides down easier than a Friday evening post-work drink.

Henrik Stenson is wielding his three wood over his second shot at 16 and he has judged it perfectly. The ball shoots right onto the bullseye centre of the green.

Patrick Reed has followed suit with a pin-point effort of his own. Still all square as they stroll towards a pair of 20-foot-plus putts.

This top match is not cooked just yet. Graeme McDowell dumps his tee-shot on the par-three 17th into a right-hand bunker. Spieth's turn. And his is a solid effort. Onto the lower tier of the double-decker green, it is a wonder putt for a two, but McDowell has plenty of work for his up-down-and-par.

Jamie in Leeds: Don't understand this criticism of Reed lacking class. Poulter was exactly the same at Medinah two years ago. It's the Ryder Cup, you need players like that to make it what it is.

Image source, AP

Jordan Spieth with a tricky, lumpy, bumpy 15-footer to win the 16th and move to one down. It is on the rollercoaster, going up and down the peaks and valleys, but finishes just short. A look of bewildered disbelief from the American.

Graeme McDowell jogs off to the 17th, two up, two to play.

Latest projected score: Europe 16½-11½ US.

Europe up

Sergio Garcia clings to Jim Furyk's coattails as he holes out to stay one down on nine. Thomas Bjorn meanwhile has started on the long road back to parity against Matt Kuchar, taking the 11th to move to three down.

Golf Channel's Jason Sobel:, external Rory McIlroy will become the first player to win two majors and a Ryder Cup in the same year since ... Tom Watson in 1977.

Rob Hodgetts
BBC Sport at Gleneagles

"Thunderous applause and singing as Rory McIlroy completes his win against Rickie Fowler on the 14th. They're good mates, but Rickie seems shell-shocked and can only offer the briefest of congrats. "

One point that might be down the swanny for Europe is Thomas Bjorn's. The Dane is four down to Matt Kuchar after 10.

The United States are ahead in only three other matches - Patrick Reed (one up after 14), Jim Furyk (one up after eight) and Jimmy Walker (one up after six).

They need eight and a half points to take the trophy. The maths is not adding up for Tom Watson's men at the moment.

Graeme McDowell v Jordan Spieth - Europe 2UP after 15

Henrik Stenson v Patrick Reed - USA 1UP after 14

Rory McIlroy beat Rickie Fowler 5&4

Justin Rose v Hunter Mahan - A/S after 13

Stephen Gallacher v Phil Mickelson - A/S after 12

Martin Kaymer v Bubba Watson - Europe 4UP after 12

Thomas Bjorn v Matt Kuchar - USA 4UP after 10

Sergio Garcia v Jim Furyk - USA 1UP after 8

Ian Poulter v Webb Simpson - Europe 1UP after 8

Jamie Donaldson v Keegan Bradley - Europe 2UP after 7

Lee Westwood v Jimmy Walker - USA 1UP after 6

Victor Dubuisson v Zach Johnson - A/S after 4

Image source, PA

Rory McIlroy on Sky Sports: "I was probably more up for this day than I was for the final two days of the majors this year. There was no option but to win. All week it has been a pleasure to play in front of these fans and these crowds. It's been amazing and I'm going to go and cheer on the rest of the boys now."

Bernard Gallacher
Three-time European Ryder Cup captain on BBC Radio 5 live

That was a Seve type recovery. That's really helped Justin who was getting a bit worried after his drive. What a miraculous shot.

Rose hits from out of a thorny bush to gimme range on the par-four 13th, forcing Mahan to hole his birdie chip for a halve which doesn't drop.

Image source, Getty Images

That is the sort of shock-and-awe golf that you want to see from your world number one superstar.

Nicolas Colsaerts
Belgium's 2012 Ryder Cup player on BBC Radio 5 live

Rory was in control from the start and there was no way Rickie could compete with that. When you're up against McIlroy like that there's nothing you can do.