Luke Donald and his players have ensured the Ryder Cup will be coming with them back over the Atlantic but it wasn’t without nerves on a dramatic final day at Bethpage Black
Europe have retained the Ryder Cup despite a nervy final day against the USA at Bethpage Black in New York. Shane Lowry sunk the winning put on the 18th hole against Russell Henley to tie the match and take Europe to the magical 14-point mark they needed.
Heading into the final day needing just two and a half points from 12 singles matches, that became two when Viktor Hovland pulled out with a shoulder injury and his match against Harris English was subsequently halved.
But Cameron Young, Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele recorded victories over Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Jon Rahm respectively to close the gap and set European pulses racing.
Ludvig Aberg stopped the rot by getting the better of Patrick Cantlay taking Europe to within a point of glory. Matt Fitzpatrick then tied his match with Bryson DeChambeau despite being five shots ahead through seven holes. It meant Europe needed just one more tie from the remaining six matches.
Scottie Scheffler, who had lost all four of his matches over Friday and Saturday, delayed Europe’s coronation further by getting the better of Rory McIlroy. Then JJ Spaun beat Sepp Straka.
But after Henley missed the opportunity to putt for the match, Lowry held his nerve to seal the half a point Europe needed and spark scenes of wild celebrations among his teammates.
Europe’s domination of the first two days begun on Friday morning when they won the foursomes 3-1. Tyrrell Hatton and Rahm, Aberg and Fitzpatrick and Fleetwood and McIlroy each won their games, while Cantlay and Schauffele got the USA on the board.
The advantage was hammered home in the fourballs thanks to Rahm and Straka and Fleetwood and Rose. Their wins, plus a half for Lowry and McIlroy, meant Europe ended the first day with a three-point buffer.
Both the foursomes and fourballs on day two finished 3-1 to Europe, with Fleetwood maintaining a 100% record going into Sunday having played four matches and won all four. Hatton also boasted a perfect record with three wins from three, while Rose went two from two.