If there were mixed emotions for Stephen Gallacher, he did a good job of hiding it.
The sole Scot in the victorious European team ended the week pointless.
Gallacher was defeated 3 and 1 by five-time major winner Phil Mickelson in the last-day singles.
In the company of Ian Poulter, he was trounced in the first morning fourballs 5 and 4 and didn’t play at all on Saturday.
Gallacher’s 2014 Ryder Cup mirrored that of Peter Hanson two years earlier when the Swede also played two and lost two.
The 39-year-old from Bathgate looked despondent after his match with Mickelson ended on the 17th but he soon had a smile on his face as broad as his 11 team-mates when fellow-rookie Jamie Donaldson took the European total to the crucial 14-point mark.
With a saltire draped round his shoulders, Gallacher basked in the adulation of the galleries.
The team ethic has been emphasised by the European side this week and Gallacher reflected: “It’s been an awesome experience, one that I will cherish forever.
“The first tee couldn’t have been better. I’ll remember it as long as I live. Unbelievable. I’ve played in majors. I’d describe them as a one and this was a 10.
“To be part of this team, in front of these galleries, has been amazing.
“The 12 guys and Paul (McGinley) have been exceptional. Paul’s had a plan and it’s worked to the letter every day. Now it’s paid off.
“I gave it my best shot against one of the world’s greatest golfers. We both played hard. It was nip and tuck. I’m proud of the way I played and to be part of a winning team.
“There are so many guys who have been left out for a day, so that wasn’t hard to take. Me and Ian didn’t get the birdies you need. I was OK at sitting out because it’s a team game.
“I’m not niggled at all at not getting a point.”
Gallacher was roared on to every tee and green and down every fairway as he fought it out with Mickelson but, despite a valiant effort (he was well under par himself), the American proved too strong.
The 44-year-old is a popular visitor to Scotland and famously won the Scottish Open, then Open, in this country last summer.
Mickelson couldn’t complete the tartan treble as part of the US team but at least finished on a high note personally.
He said: “This has been a great Ryder Cup in the sense that people here in Scotland have treated us very well. I’ve loved playing golf here.
“I’ve had a chance to get to know Stephen. He’s a class act.
“I knew there would be a big home bias but even though they were more boisterous for Stephen, they treated me with respect also.”
Gallacher’s match was a real Scottish affair. First Minister Alex Salmond followed it throughout, as did vice-captain Sam Torrance.
The 2002 captain has known more than a few Sunday night Ryder Cup celebrations in his time and didn’t expect the Perthshire one to be any less memorable.
“I’ve had an unbelievable week,” Torrance said. “There might be a couple of soft drinks drunk tonight!
“It’s just incredible. What a team and what a captain. Paul has been brilliant. He built a team and it came to fruition.”
Another Scot, Sir Alex Ferguson, was invited by Paul McGinley to speak to his players on Thursday night.
He reappeared at Gleneagles on Sunday and was on the first tee for Gallacher’s match and all the others.
Sir Alex said: “I’ve been excited all day. Standing at the first tee for every start was an unbelievable atmosphere.
“The crowd was great to the Americans as well, though. There was fantastic camaraderie.
“Both sides are the best players in their countries and continents. The margins were so small. It was the most special type of golf you could see.
“These guys deserve their place in the pantheon of great golfers.”
The former Aberdeen and Manchester United boss downplayed his own role in Europe’s triumph.
“I had a general chat with them all,” he said. “I think I got more out of it than they did. It was fantastic to be in their company.”