WATCH: US Captain Breaks Down in Emotional Interview After Europe Wins the Ryder Cup

A contentious, emotional Ryder Cup concluded Sunday with Europe prevailing over the United States in the biennial matches 16.5-11.5.

And after the matches concluded, U.S. captain Zach Johnson got emotional during an interview with NBC’s Steve Sands.

“I think my guys showed true heart, true grit,” Johnson said — his voice breaking.

Johnson was silent for more than 10 seconds as he tried to compose himself.

“A lot of character,” he said. “They played for each other. I love ’em.”

Europe dominated play on Friday to kick off the three-day event and never looked back. They won the first four matches to build a lead which they would never relinquish.

The competition got heated on Saturday, when Rory McIlroy got into a heated confrontation with Joe LaCava — a caddie for the U.S. team who McIlroy felt engaged in an over-the-top celebration while he was lining up a putt. McIlroy was caught on camera screaming at another caddie, Bones Mackay, about the incident. The bad blood simmered on Sunday, as McIlroy denied a report that he and LaCava had buried the hatchet and called the incident a “disgrace.”

The United States has not won the Ryder Cup on European soil in 1993. But fortunately for the U.S. squad, the next edition of the event will take place in New York at Bethpage Black — where the fans will surely be … shall we say … fired up.

Watch above, via NBC.