What initially seemed like a straightforward victory for Team Europe transformed into an electrifying Ryder Cup showdown, as they fended off a relentless surge from Team USA to clinch golf’s most prestigious team trophy with a narrow 15-13 triumph.
Having executed near-flawless play over the first two days at Bethpage Black on Long Island, Europe entered Sunday’s singles matches needing just two points from eleven contests to secure the Ryder Cup title. However, the American squad pushed them to the very edge, making the outcome uncertain until the final moments.
“Those 12 hours were the most intense of my life,” reflected Europe’s captain Luke Donald, who became the first skipper since Tony Jacklin in the 1980s to win consecutive Ryder Cups. “We anticipated a tough fight, but they exceeded all expectations.”
The turning point came during the eighth singles match when Ireland’s Shane Lowry sank a crucial 6-foot birdie putt on the last hole to draw level with Russell Henley. This pivotal moment elevated Europe to 14 points for the week, ensuring they would retain the Ryder Cup they had claimed two years prior in Rome.
“Walking down the 18th, I told my caddie, ‘This could be the greatest achievement of my career today,’ and I managed to deliver. I’m incredibly proud,” Lowry shared.
Shortly after, England’s Tyrrell Hatton secured the outright win by halving his match against Collin Morikawa, earning the decisive half-point that pushed Europe to the 14.5 points needed for victory.
“This was one of the toughest days I’ve ever faced on a golf course,” Hatton admitted following the closest Ryder Cup since Europe’s dramatic comeback at Medinah in 2012. “They’re phenomenal competitors-I was secretly hoping it wouldn’t come down to me.”
Europe’s dominance in the Ryder Cup continues, having won 11 of the last 15 contests since 1995, with this latest success marking their fifth triumph on American soil.
Challenging Atmosphere for the Visitors
Despite the presence of US President Donald Trump rallying support on Friday, the American team struggled to mount a significant challenge during the opening two days amid a vociferous crowd that frequently targeted the European players with hostile chants.
Nevertheless, Europe’s players showcased exceptional shot-making and clutch putting during the foursomes and fourball rounds, all while demonstrating a unity and intensity that the US team found difficult to match.
With such a commanding lead, it appeared Europe was on course for a swift Sunday victory, and Luke Donald’s squad even started strongly in the singles matches before the momentum shifted dramatically.
“The team fought with incredible heart today. I expected nothing less,” said US captain Keegan Bradley. “They proved to the world that anything can happen. It was a toss-up at times. I’ve never been prouder.”
A Rally That Came Too Late
Bradley’s decision to send Cameron Young and Justin Thomas out first paid dividends as both players birdied the final hole to edge out Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood, injecting fresh hope into the American comeback.
“That was the momentum we’d been chasing all week, just a day late,” Thomas remarked.
Xander Schauffele added to the US tally with a commanding 4&3 victory over Spain’s Jon Rahm, while Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg secured Europe’s sole singles win of the day by defeating Patrick Cantlay 2&1.
Matt Fitzpatrick, who had surged to a 5-up lead early, settled for a half-point after halving his match with Bryson DeChambeau, bringing Europe within half a point of retaining the trophy with six matches still underway.
However, the Americans kept the pressure on as Scottie Scheffler edged Rory McIlroy 1-up in a historic singles match between the world’s top two ranked players. JJ Spaun then sealed a 2&1 victory over Austria’s Sepp Straka, setting the stage for Lowry’s crucial birdie.
Hatton’s par on the final hole to halve his match sparked jubilant celebrations, while the last scheduled match was declared a tie before play began due to Europe’s Viktor Hovland withdrawing with an injury, resulting in a half-point apiece.
For McIlroy, who endured much of the crowd’s hostility throughout the week, the win validated his confident prediction following the previous Ryder Cup that Europe would triumph on foreign soil this year.
“It’s nice to be right, though I’m not always,” McIlroy said. “I have complete faith in this team. Our victory in Rome set the wheels in motion to achieve something Europe hadn’t done in over a decade.”
