Europe successfully defended their Ryder Cup title in a tense final day battle against the USA at Bethpage Black in New York. Shane Lowry secured the crucial point on the 18th hole by tying his match against Russell Henley, helping Luke Donald’s team reach the required 14 points.
Tyrrell Hatton followed suit by tying his match with Collin Morikawa, pushing Europe to 14 and a half points, securing their outright victory. Robert MacIntyre halved his match against Sam Burns, resulting in a final score of 15-13 in favor of Europe.
Needing only two and a half points from 12 singles matches on the final day, the task was reduced to two points after Viktor Hovland withdrew due to a shoulder injury, resulting in a halved match against Harris English. However, wins by Cameron Young, Justin Thomas, and Xander Schauffele over Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, and Jon Rahm respectively, narrowed the gap and raised the tension for the Europeans.
Ludvig Aberg was the sole European to win his match on Sunday, defeating Patrick Cantlay and bringing Europe within touching distance of victory. Matt Fitzpatrick then tied his match with Bryson DeChambeau, ensuring Europe needed just one more tie from the remaining six matches.
Scottie Scheffler, who had previously lost all his matches, delayed Europe’s celebration by defeating Rory McIlroy, while JJ Spaun beat Sepp Straka. However, Lowry’s composure during the critical moment sealed the necessary half-point for Europe, igniting jubilant scenes among his teammates.
Reflecting on the victory, an emotional Lowry expressed his deep connection to the Ryder Cup, highlighting the significance of the event in his career. He praised team captain Luke Donald and looked forward to the Ryder Cup returning to Ireland in 2027.
Despite a late resurgence by the USA, with Ben Griffin securing a victory, Hatton’s halved match with Morikawa and Donald’s celebrations marked Europe’s triumph.
Donald commended the American team for their resilience and acknowledged the intense competition throughout the tournament. He emphasized the significance of the victory for the team and praised their unity and dedication to the historic event.
Europe’s dominance in the opening days set the tone for their eventual victory, with strong performances in the foursomes and fourballs leading to a comfortable lead heading into the final day. Key players like Fleetwood, Hatton, and Rose played pivotal roles in securing crucial points for the European team.
