Bhubaneshwar – Team Europe has successfully defended the Ryder Cup, reclaiming the trophy on American soil at the notorious Bethpage Black course. In a tense finale, the Europeans held off a historic American comeback to secure a 15-13 victory, marking their 11th win in the last 15 contests.
Captain Luke Donald became the first European leader to win back-to-back Ryder Cups since Tony Jacklin (1985 and 1987), accomplishing the feat with 11 of the same 12 players who won in Rome two years prior.
The Decisive Moment: Lowry’s Irish Heroics
The match was officially clinched by Irishman Shane Lowry, who birdied three of the last four holes in his singles match. On the 18th hole, with the pressure of the entire tournament on his shoulders, Lowry coolly sank a 6-foot birdie putt that assured Europe of retaining the cup. Moments earlier, Tyrrell Hatton halved his match to guarantee Europe the outright victory.
Lowry’s emotional clutch putt solidifies his place in Irish Ryder Cup lore, joining icons like Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke, and Paul McGinley. As he told his caddie walking up the final fairway, he had a chance to do “the coolest thing in my life.”
The deciding putt came after American Russell Henley twice left 10-foot birdie putts short on the closing holes, setting the stage for Lowry’s celebrated finish.
Team USA’s Historic, Yet Insufficient, Comeback
The final 15-13 scoreline was the biggest surprise, given Europe had built a commanding, record seven-point lead heading into the Sunday singles matches.
The Americans staged a legendary, near-impossible rally, tying a Ryder Cup record by earning 8.5 points from the 12 singles matches (they needed 10 points to win). For a moment, a miracle comeback seemed plausible as:
- Cameron Young and Justin Thomas won on the 18th hole.
- Bryson DeChambeau stormed back from 5 down to earn a halve.
- Scottie Scheffler avoided being blanked for the week by defeating Rory McIlroy.
The Bethpage Black Factor and Lopsided History
The European victory was made even more impressive by winning on highly hostile American soil. The New York crowds at Bethpage Black were described as loud, vulgar, and relentless, adding an extra layer of difficulty for the visitors.
The overall series dating back to 1927 still favors the U.S. (27-16-2), but the modern era tells a different story: since continental Europe joined the competition in 1979, Europe has dominated, capturing the cup 13 out of 19 times. As Rory McIlroy noted, winning a road Ryder Cup is among golf’s biggest accomplishments, and Europe has proved adept at it, winning five of the last ten away from home.
The day even began with a half-point awarded to Europe after Viktor Hovland was forced to withdraw due to a neck injury flare-up, leading to a halved match against the Americans’ secret envelope player, Harris English.
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