Europe successfully defended their title at the Ryder Cup in a thrilling final day showdown against the USA at Bethpage Black in New York. Shane Lowry clinched the crucial winning putt on the 18th hole to secure a tie against Russell Henley, propelling Luke Donald’s team to the required 14 points for victory.
The tension mounted as Tyrrell Hatton matched Collin Morikawa, pushing Europe to 14.5 points and sealing their triumph. Robert MacIntyre’s draw with Sam Burns finalized the score at 15-13 in Europe’s favor.
The day began with Europe needing just two and a half points from the singles matches, which adjusted to two points after Viktor Hovland withdrew due to a shoulder injury, resulting in a halved match against Harris English. The American side fought back with wins from Cameron Young, Justin Thomas, and Xander Schauffele against Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, and Jon Rahm, narrowing the gap and raising the stakes for Europe.
Ludvig Aberg secured a crucial victory for Europe, defeating Patrick Cantlay and bringing them within touching distance of the title. Matt Fitzpatrick’s draw with Bryson DeChambeau meant Europe required just one more draw from the remaining matches.
Scottie Scheffler ended his losing streak by overcoming Rory McIlroy, while JJ Spaun defeated Sepp Straka, delaying Europe’s celebrations. However, Lowry maintained his composure, sinking the decisive putt to secure the half point needed for Europe’s victory and triggering jubilant scenes among his teammates.
In an emotional post-match interview with Sky Sports, Lowry expressed his overwhelming joy and described the Ryder Cup as his ultimate dream. He praised captain Luke Donald’s leadership and expressed his hopes for a full victory despite retaining the cup.
Looking ahead to the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland, Lowry anticipated a more favorable experience on home turf. The USA managed to claw back with a win by Ben Griffin, but Hatton’s draw with Morikawa and Donald’s celebration confirmed Europe’s outright victory.
Reflecting on the intense competition, Donald commended the American team’s resilience and expressed his pride in Europe’s hard-fought triumph. He emphasized the historical significance of the victory and the unity displayed by the team throughout the tournament.
Europe’s dominance in the earlier rounds set the stage for their success, with wins in the foursomes and fourballs contributing to their commanding lead heading into the final day. The exceptional performances of key players like Hatton, Fleetwood, and Rahm played a pivotal role in securing the Ryder Cup for Europe.