Europe's golf heroes flew home today with the Ryder Cup after completing one of the most amazing comebacks in the sport's history.

America went into the final day with a 10-6 lead – but an incredible fightback saw the trophy returned to European soil, sparking amazing scenes of celebration.

Jose Maria Olazabal's side evoked the spirit of the late Seve Ballesteros as they fought their way to a 14½-13½ win in Chicago.

Ian Poulter said: "We just felt we had that tiny little chance and we have made history – unbelievable."

The European team's fifth Cup win in six clashes was achieved in the colours of Ballesteros, the late Spanish golfer who did so much to reinvigorate the competition, and with images of him on their sleeves and bags.

Speaking at the closing ceremony as he received the trophy, Euro team captain Jose Maria Olazabal, a close friend of Ballesteros, struggled to keep his emotions in check as he explained what the tournament meant to him.

He said: "The 12 men of Team Europe, what you did out there today was outstanding, You believed, and you delivered, and I am very proud that you have kept Europe's hand on this Ryder Cup.

"It has been a privilege to serve you as your captain. All men die, but not all men live, and you made me feel alive once again this week."

Amid chants of "Seve, Seve" from the crowd, he said: "I am pretty sure he is very happy where he is today."

The day started in extraordinary fashion when Northern Irish star Rory McIlroy just made it to the tee in time, needing a police escort after he got his start time wrong.

But it finished in remarkable glory when the Euro team clawed back their overnight deficit, winning their first five singles games and a further two points from Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia, matching their US counterparts man-for-man.

That put Olazabal's side, almost unbelievably, 13-12 up, before they pressed home their advantage in the last two matches on the final two holes, first drawing level to retain the trophy and then winning it outright.