Europe successfully defended the Ryder Cup title in a tense final day battle against the USA at Bethpage Black in New York. Shane Lowry secured the crucial winning putt on the 18th hole against Russell Henley, helping Luke Donald’s team reach the required 14-point mark.
Following Lowry’s heroics, Tyrrell Hatton and Collin Morikawa tied their match, securing Europe’s victory with 14 and a half points. The tight competition continued as Robert MacIntyre halved his match against Sam Burns, resulting in a final score of 15-13 in favor of Europe.
Despite initial setbacks, Europe needed only two points from the 12 singles matches on the final day to secure victory. Viktor Hovland’s withdrawal due to a shoulder injury reduced the requirement to two points, which was then further narrowed when his match against Harris English ended in a tie.
The American team fought back with wins from Cameron Young, Justin Thomas, and Xander Schauffele against Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, and Jon Rahm, respectively, closing the point gap and increasing the pressure on Europe.
Ludvig Aberg’s victory against Patrick Cantlay brought Europe within touching distance of the title. Matt Fitzpatrick’s tie with Bryson DeChambeau meant Europe needed just one more tie from the remaining matches to secure the win.
Scottie Scheffler’s victory over Rory McIlroy delayed Europe’s celebration, but JJ Spaun’s win over Sepp Straka was not enough to stop Europe’s triumph. In a dramatic finale, Lowry held his nerve to secure the crucial half-point needed for Europe to retain the cup.
Reflecting on the win, an emotional Lowry expressed his deep connection to the Ryder Cup, highlighting its significance to him. He praised the team’s efforts and credited captain Luke Donald for his exceptional leadership.
Looking ahead to the future, Lowry humorously mentioned the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland, hinting at the anticipated excitement of playing on home soil. The intense competition continued with Ben Griffin’s win over Rasmus Hojgaard, but ultimately, Europe emerged victorious with Hatton securing the final half-point needed for the outright win.
Captain Donald expressed his relief and pride in the team’s performance, acknowledging the fierce competition from the American team. He commended his players for their dedication and emphasized the historic significance of their victory, believing it would be remembered for generations to come.
Europe’s commanding performance in the earlier rounds set the tone for their eventual triumph, with strong showings in both the foursomes and fourballs contributing to their overall success. Key players like Fleetwood, Hatton, and Rose maintained impressive records throughout the tournament, culminating in a memorable Ryder Cup defense.