US victory a fitting farewell for Nicklaus

The only blemish on Jack Nicklaus's remarkable career was removed on Sunday in Virginia when Chris DiMarco drained a 15-foot birdie putt to give the US a Presidents Cup victory and their captain a winning send off.

"This is unbelievable," a jubilant DiMarco said after his final hole heroics gave him a one-up win over Australia's Stuart Appleby to secure an 18-15 victory over The Internationals.

"What can you say when the greatest player in the world (captain Jack Nicklaus) has enough trust in you to put you out last.

"All I thought about as I was making that putt was getting him the win."

The pulsating victory provided a perfect conclusion to one of the greatest careers in golf history.

In an emotional season that has seen Nicklaus say goodbye to competitive golf at the US Masters and British Open, it was the home team's prime objective to give him a winning send off by delivering a first team title as a captain.

"It feels a lot better to have a win," Nicklaus said.

"I may never captain another team but if I end my career this way, it's a pretty good way to end it."