A DISTRAUGHT Hunter Mahan was unable to hold back the tears after the United States’ heartbreaking Ryder Cup defeat at Celtic Manor.

Mahan broke down while reflecting on his 3&1 loss to Graeme McDowell in the final match of this year’s competition, which handed Europe a stunning success.

It was the first time since Kiawah Island in 1991 that the Ryder Cup had been decided by the final game and Mahan appeared to choke under the pressure on the 17th hole.

Two hours after the dramatic denouement, the circumstances of his defeat were still too painful for the 28- year-old to discuss at length.

‘‘I’m just proud to be a part of this team. It’s a close team, and...’’ Mahan managed before breaking down.

He later added: ‘‘I’ve played with Graeme before.

‘‘He played great today, didn’t miss a shot. He hit a bunch of key putts.

‘‘That birdie on 16, after I got it to one down, was huge.

He just beat me today.’’ Phil Mickelson went further by insisting he himself shouldered much of the blame for his team’s demise.

The event saw the four-time major winner claim the unwanted record of the most matches lost by a United States player when he suffered his 17th defeat on Sunday.

He finally produced with a dominant 4&2 singles success against Peter Hanson but that followed a hat-trick of losses between Friday and Sunday.

He said: ‘‘When I didn’t win any of my first three points, I felt more disappointment than I’ve ever felt, because this is an opportunity for us to win here in Europe.

‘‘And so the fact that we came so close, and I let some of these opportunities to gain points for our team slide, it does hurt more.’’