Europe prevails over the US in tense Ryder Cup battle
Andy Hampson |
Europe have retained the Ryder Cup, holding off a dramatic fightback from the United States at Bethpage Black to continue their dominance of golf’s top team competition.
The host side, trailing by seven points heading into Sunday’s singles session, roared back into contention with a series of tight wins but the holders just did enough to cling on.
Shane Lowry delivered the crucial half-point in match number eight, taking Europe to 14 points by holing a putt to tie against Russell Henley.
England’s Tyrrell Hatton iced the cake soon after with a half-point from his match against Collin Morikawa.
That took Europe to the 14-1/2 point target they needed for the outright win.
“It’s been one of the hardest days I’ve ever experienced on a golf course,” Hatton said.
“It was to be expected, they’re amazing players – selfishly I was hoping it wouldn’t have to come down to me.
“I’m just so happy we’ve managed to win.”
Lowry had trailed by one heading to the 18th but a superb second shot allowed him to hole for birdie three after Henley had been forced to settle for a four.
Walking up the final fairway, Lowry told his caddie: “I have a chance to do the coolest thing in my life here”.
“I’ve been so lucky to experience amazing things in this game,” he said after securing the trophy.
“That was the hardest couple of hours of my whole life, honestly.”
While Lowry’s effort ensured Europe could not be beaten, halves for Hatton and Robert MacIntyre completed the 15-13 victory.
That the contest got so close was remarkable given the size of Europe’s lead, 11.5-4.5, after Saturday’s play and how dispirited the Americans seemed.
Europe had needed to secure just two and a half points to retain the cup and the half came before play even started when Viktor Hovland withdrew injured and his clash with Harris English declared a draw.
But the hosts showed incredible fighting spirit to threaten the most unlikely of comebacks.
Cameron Young and Justin Thomas edged thrilling battles on the 18th green against big guns Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood and Xander Schauffele overpowered Jon Rahm 4&3.
Ludvig Aberg finally stemmed the tide as he beat Patrick Cantlay 2&1 and Matt Fitzpatrick held off a storming fightback from Bryson DeChambeau to halve his match having led by five after eight holes.
Yet the Americans continued to battle and Scottie Scheffler, after four defeats in the opening two days, saw off Rory McIlroy in a titantic struggle that also went to the 18th.
JJ Spaun delivered another point at the expense of Sepp Straka, but Lowry held his nerve when it mattered to fight back and claim his vital half.
Europe have captured the cup 13 out of 19 times since 1979, the start of the modern era, and have won five of the last 10 on US soil.
Their win also meant captain Luke Donald was the first with back-to-back victories since Tony Jacklin in 1985 and 1987.
“We knew this would be tough,” Donald said. “We didn’t know it would be this tough.”
Even more impressive was doing it on US soil with hostile fans that were loud and vulgar and relentless.
Subject of much of the taunts, McIlroy promised to party “like there’s no tomorrow”.
“I am extremely proud to be a part of this team,” he said.
“As soon as we won in Rome we turned our attentions to doing something that was pretty impossible to do – to win in America and in New York.
“It’s been an amazing week.”
PA
