A beaming Colin Montgomerie, back from holing the winning putt in Europe's Ryder Cup demolition of the United States at Oakland Hills had a simple explanation for the victory: "We hit more fairways than they did, we hit more greens in regulation than they did and so we holed more putts than they did."

In saying that, he disposed of the faintly derogatory claim by Tiger Woods that Europe only won because they holed "a boatload of putts".

Montgomerie, here to prepare for The Heritage, a new event on the European Tour, went on: "We played better than they did on all three days and, what's more, Bernhard Langer's claim that we could have raised a side of 16 to 18 players that could have done just as good a job is also true.

"There's players like Fredrik Jacobson, Alex Cejka, Thomas Bjorn, just for starters, and there are more like Justin Rose waiting in the wings.

"In the old days," he added, "we struggled to get six to eight."

Meanwhile, Woods yesterday revealed that the record defeat to Europe has left him physically drained. "I'm definitely tired," Woods told the New York Times. "The Ryder Cup took a lot out of me."

The world number two also admitted that partner Phil Mickelson's wayward drive on the 18th hole in their foursomes match against Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood on Friday was a big turning point in the defeat.

Woods and Mickelson had been three up early on but had allowed their European opponents to claw back to all square going into the 18th hole. Mickelson then hit a horrendous tee shot which led to a double bogey, giving Europe victory.

"It really hurt to lose that match," said Woods, whose career record at the event now reads only seven wins from 20 matches. "To be up early like that, and then for us to lose on the last hole really fired them up."

Woods would no doubt be even more sapped by the knowledge that one of the European team's rookies, David Howell, had altered his swing just hours before the start of the tournament.

"My coach was with me and I played terribly on Thursday in practice and I had to make the decision how to go about trying to hit the ball a bit better for when I was called upon," Howell said.

Howell and fellow Briton Casey came back in the Saturday morning fourballs from one down with two to play against 2003 US Open champion Jim Furyk and Chad Campbell to win by a hole.

Their remarkable comeback stalled an American fightback and sparked an impressive European performance in the afternoon foursomes with three wins out of four.

"We made a change on Thursday afternoon just before the opening ceremony," said Howell. "I had all day to practise on Friday but it was nerve-racking going out with a new swing.

"Fortunately it just about paid off on Saturday, but it probably didn't on Sunday when I was on my own (he lost his singles encounter 6 and 4 to Jim Furyk)."

Despite feeling exhausted from his Ryder Cup exploits, Howell was back on the range at Woburn on Tuesday before playing in the pro-am yesterday.

"It's just me. I'm very determined to do well. I'm working to get into Ireland (for the next Ryder Cup) in two years' time," added Howell.

Padraig Harrington can round off a memorable fortnight even if he fails to win The Heritage title.

The Dubliner, who won four points out of five in Europe's Ryder Cup triumph, would qualify for the World Matchplay Championship at Wentworth (October 14th-17th) if he finishes eighth or better.

He currently trails Thomas Levet but the Frenchman has decided against playing this week after the Ryder Cup drama, blaming fatigue. Mickelson has pulled out of the tournament, which offers the biggest prize in golf, $1.79 million, as have Woods and Sergio Garcia.