Europe has successfully defended the Ryder Cup title in a tense final day battle against the USA at Bethpage Black in New York. Shane Lowry clinched the winning putt on the 18th hole against Russell Henley, securing the crucial point that took Luke Donald’s team to the required 14-point mark.
Tyrrell Hatton then tied his match with Collin Morikawa, pushing Europe to 14.5 points, ultimately securing their victory in the Ryder Cup. 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 the 12 singles matches on the final day, the target was reduced to two points when Viktor Hovland withdrew due to a shoulder injury, resulting in a halved match against Harris English.
Despite challenges from Cameron Young, Justin Thomas, and Xander Schauffele who scored wins against Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, and Jon Rahm respectively, Europe maintained their lead. Ludvig Aberg’s victory over Patrick Cantlay brought Europe within reach of the victory they sought.
Matt Fitzpatrick’s tie with Bryson DeChambeau, despite a strong start, left Europe needing just one more tie from the remaining matches. Scottie Scheffler’s win over Rory McIlroy and JJ Spaun’s victory over Sepp Straka delayed Europe’s triumph momentarily.
In a dramatic finish, Lowry secured the crucial half-point needed for Europe’s victory, leading to jubilant celebrations among his teammates. Lowry expressed his emotions, highlighting the significance of the Ryder Cup to him and praising the team’s efforts.
Looking ahead to the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland, Lowry expressed excitement for the upcoming event. Despite Ben Griffin’s win against Rasmus Hojgaard keeping the USA’s hopes alive, Hatton’s tie with Morikawa and Donald’s celebration marked Europe’s outright victory.
Luke Donald, reflecting on the intense competition, commended the American team for their resilience. He expressed pride in his team’s performance and emphasized the historic significance of their achievement.
Europe’s dominance in the earlier matches set the tone for their eventual victory, with wins in the foursomes and fourballs establishing a strong lead. Key performances from players like Hatton, Rahm, Fleetwood, and Rose contributed to Europe’s successful defense of the Ryder Cup title.