Europe successfully defended the Ryder Cup in a thrilling final day battle 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, pushing Luke Donald’s team to the required 14-point mark for victory.
Tyrrell Hatton matched Collin Morikawa, bringing Europe to 14 and a half points, ultimately securing the Ryder Cup win. Robert MacIntyre drew his match against Sam Burns, resulting in a final score of 15-13 in favor of Europe.
Europe needed only two and a half points from 12 singles matches on the final day, later reduced to two points when Viktor Hovland withdrew due to a shoulder injury and his match against Harris English ended in a tie. Despite strong performances from Cameron Young, Justin Thomas, and Xander Schauffele for the USA, European players like Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick kept the momentum in Europe’s favor.
Scottie Scheffler’s victory over Rory McIlroy delayed Europe’s victory celebration, but ultimately, Lowry’s composed play secured the half-point needed for Europe to retain the cup. Amid emotional celebrations, Lowry expressed his deep connection to the Ryder Cup and praised captain Luke Donald’s leadership.
Looking ahead to the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland, Lowry hinted at the excitement of playing on home soil. The intense competition continued with Ben Griffin ensuring the USA’s hopes alive, but Hatton’s match halving with Morikawa sealed Europe’s outright victory.
Captain Donald acknowledged the fierce competition from the Americans and paid tribute to their resilience. He commended his team for their unity and determination, highlighting their place in golfing history.
Europe’s dominance in the earlier matches set the stage for their overall victory, with strong performances in both foursomes and fourballs leading to a commanding lead going into the final day. Fleetwood and Hatton maintained their unbeaten records, contributing significantly to Europe’s successful defense of the Ryder Cup.
