SAINT-NOM-LA-BRETECHE, October 6, 2013 (AFP) - Francesco Molinari sealed a dramatic win when he hit a fine tee shot within 12 feet of the pin at the par 3, 16th and then sunk his putt to defeat Englishman Chris Wood 3 and 2.
Europe were leading 14-13 and needing just a half point for victory, and Molinari, who also sunk the winnning putt to give Europe the Ryder Cup last year at Medinah, again showed nerves of steel under pressure.
The Milan right-hander's birdie lifted Europe to a 15-13 victory.
"I don't like all these matches finishing on the last game, one of these days my heart isn't going to take it anymore," joked European captain Jose Maria Olazabal.
"This tournament is really close to my heart and this tournament was very close to Seve (Ballesteros). He created it and had great hopes for this event and that it would become a big event on the European Tour.
"Great Britain have had a great run, six editions in a row, they showed how it should be done and we're just glad it was our turn this time." added the Spaniard, who formed the most successful partnership in Ryder Cup history with the late Ballesteros.
Losing captain Sam Torrance vowed to learn from the experience.
"Congratulations to Jose Maria, Captain Fantastic. His team were brilliant this week, we gave it everything but they were too strong," said the Scot.
"The taste of defeat is never nice but we will learn from that and take it forward."
Frenchman Gregory Bourdy, who was playing his first Seve Trophy, was one of the stars for Olazabal's team, when he set a new tournament record by becoming the first player to win all five of his matches.
Europe ended a losing streak of six tournaments dating back to 2000 when Ballesteros captained Olazabal and the side to victory over Colin Montgomerie's team.
Bourdy, the 31-year-old Bordeaux native, racked up four wins out of four alongside Dutchman Joost Luiten in the pairs before winning his singles match in style on Sunday by defeating Scott Jamieson 4 and 3.
Bourdy is attempting to become only the third Frenchman to play at the Ryder Cup next year under captain Paul McGinley, as he tries to follow in the footsteps of Thomas Levet and Jean Van de Velde.
His victory earlier this year at the Wales Open and his historic showing at Saint-Nom-la-Breteche makes him a strong contender to appear at Gleneagles against the USA.
"I'm so happy to achieve that and it was an amazing week for me," said Bourdy.
"It was great to play in front of my French crowd and in Saint-Nom-la-Breteche, it's a great course and I love to play in team events."
Luiten who also had a chance to make it a perfect five from five but came up against an in-form Tommy Fleetwood of England and was beaten 3 and 2.
However convincing wins by Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez and Italian Matteo Manassero, as well as a crucial point picked up by Ryder Cup winner Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium, did the damage.
Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano's halved match against Welshman Jamie Donaldson and another halved match between injured Englishman Simon Khan and Dane Thomas Bjorn, also played a role but it was Molinari again who had the glory of sinking the winning putt.
Results Sunday from the Presidents Cup golf matches:
Overall score: United States 16 - Internationals 9
(17 1/2 points needed to win Presidents Cup)
Singles results:
Jason Day (AUS) bt Brandt Snedeker (USA) 6 and 4
Hunter Mahan (USA) bt Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 3 and 2
Jason Dufner (USA) bt Brendon de Jonge (ZIM) 4 and 3
Remaining singles matches:
Steve Stricker (USA) v Ernie Els (RSA)
Jordan Spieth (USA) v Graham DeLaet (CAN)
Bill Haas (USA) v Adam Scott (AUS)
Zach Johnson (USA) v Branden Grace (RSA)
Matt Kuchar (USA) v Marc Leishman (AUS)
Tiger Woods (USA) v Richard Sterne (RSA)
Keegan Bradley (USA) v Charl Schwartzel (RSA)
Webb Simpson (USA) v Louis Oosthuizen (RSA)
Phil Mickelson (USA) v Angel Cabrera (ARG)
Saturday-Sunday foursomes results
Jason Day (AUS)/Graham DeLaet (CAN) (Internationals) halved with Keegan Bradley/Phil Mickelson (USA)
Bill Haas/Steve Stricker (USA) bt Adam Scott (AUS)/Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) (Internationals) 4 and 3
Webb Simpson/Brandt Snedeker (USA) bt Louis Oosthuizen (RSA)/Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (Internationals) 1-up
Ernie Els (RSA)/Brendon de Jonge (ZIM) (Internationals) bt Tiger Woods/Matt Kuchar (USA) 1-up
Jason Dufner/Zach Johnson (USA) bt Richard Sterne (RSA)/Marc Leishman (AUS) (Internationals) 4 and 3