Graeme McDowell on 2014: Ryder Cup, McIlroy & Poulter

With the European Tour having come to a close for 2014, we can safely say it was a year that belonged to my friend and Ryder Cup team-mate Rory McIlroy.

It was a great year for the continent, with Rory taking his two majors and Martin Kaymer winning the US Open. Then, of course, there was also our successful defence of the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
Here are some of my thoughts as I look back on events on the Tour this year.

My personal highlight of the 2014 season

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Ryder Cup final day in three minutes

Coming back from three down against Jordan Spieth in the top match on the final day of singles at Gleneagles.
At one point I really felt like that day was getting away from me. Captain Paul McGinley had asked me to do a job and I was letting the team down. I had to dig in and try to send some positive messages to the rest of the guys.
The big turning point was Jordan missing his eight-foot putt on the seventh to go four up. I followed him in on eight and nine for birdies and then came his three-putt on the 10th - a chink in his armour - and away I went.
Winning your own singles match just makes it that little bit more special on the Sunday afternoon of a Ryder Cup.
There are a lot of emotions you go through on a day like that. To win like I did and have Rory there to be the first to celebrate with me - given everything that happened with us in the year - was very special.
I felt like I'd stepped up to the plate in leadership terms with my role alongside Victor Dubuisson. For the first time I realised my maturity as a player and it was a breakthrough on a lot of fronts for me.