I am delighted I won my singles against Phil Mickelson but heartbroken that we have lost the Ryder Cup. I may have won three points out of four on my debut and I am very proud of myself for having done that but this week is not about individuals it is about the team. That is why I am disappointed.

The score of 16½ -11½ did not reflect the play. It was much closer than that. This week was a lifetime experience for me. I got three points from my four matches and I really feel now that I can take what I have learned from here this week and use it in my career to make me a better player.

I had a lot of nice compliments about my golf today but that is the only thing I can take out of the day. I am bitterly disappointed because it is a team game and we are judged by whether we take back the Ryder Cup or not. Next week I will begin to reflect on how can I use this to my benefit as a pro golfer. Tonight we will be drowning our sorrows, letting our hair down and de-stressing. Good fun with the boys.

The key holes in my match with Phil [Mickelson] were just after the turn. Holes 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 has been a really hurtful stretch of holes for the European team. I said to my caddie "this is our stretch of holes. Let's make this stretch our stretch." I played awesome golf over this stretch.

How the 2008 Ryder Cup was won

Follow the final day's play from Valhalla as the 37th Ryder Cup draws to a dramatic conclusion with today's singles matches

• Mission accomplished for United States

• Justin Rose's Ryder Cup diary: I'm heartbroken

• Analysis: misfiring big three cost Europe dear in Ryder Cup

Europe surrender under brilliant assault

The US reclaimed the Ryder Cup for first time since 1999 with a sustained performance in the singles matches at Valhalla

• Elementary approach pays off for J.B. Holmes

• Nick Faldo's bold approach backfires in failure to reclaim initiative from US

• Ryder Cup warning signs to watch out for

Multimedia

• The key moments, match by match

• Is Faldo to blame for Europe's defeat?

I hit a great 3-wood to ten feet on 10, hit it right at the flag at 11, right at the flag at 12. On 13 I was in a divot and played a great shot over the water on to the green. Then I flagged it at 14, flagged it at 15, and hit a great putt at 16 to close out the match. I didn't want to give Phil too any chances. I'm really pleased I made that putt at 16 because he was due a putt. I really enjoyed playing with Phil. I find him a gentleman out there. The Ryder Cup is a big thing for him but he is not out there to win at all costs.

As soon as I saw Poults [Ian Poulter] yesterday I had to explain to him about my "fat git" remark. I said to him "Poults, I've sold you up the river, mate." I called you "the fat git from Milton Keynes." He took it well. I meant it to illustrate how far we had come, how far Ian has come, how much hard work has been done in the interim and to have some perspective and enjoy the moment. It was said in jest and with great affection. I feel he deserves it because he can give plenty of banter, so it's nice to give him a bit too.

I have a week of pure rest in Orlando now. I am going to play a little tennis. Actually I am dodging a sore wrist so I need to be careful. Then at the weekend I have some TaylorMade commitments. I will be back in Europe for the Alfred Dunhill Links [which starts October 2 at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns in Scotland] and I will play Sergio's tournament, the Valencia Masters, before the Volvo Masters.