Europe Secures Dramatic Ryder Cup Victory Over US
The 'Battering at Bethpage'. The 'Larruping on Long Island'. The 'Nobbling in New York'.
The headlines were being written long before Sunday's Ryder Cup singles had even teed off, such was Europe's domination over the opening two days. A record seven points they led by. 11½-4½. Just three points from 12 matches needed for victory.
No side had ever come from more than four points back to win. A formality for the visitors? Not so fast. The Americans put up a fight that will be talked about for decades to come, but in the end, Europe stumbled to a 15-13 victory, with Ludvig Aberg the only player to win his match, while six home players registered wins.
Tyrrell Hatton, playing in match 10, finally got Europe to the magic 14½ points mark as they became the fifth European side to win an away match - and the first since 2012.
It was fitting that the Englishman should secure the winning point given he was one of two undefeated players this week. The other was Shane Lowry, who holed the putt to take Europe to 14 points and ensure they would at least retain the trophy.
This triumph cements Luke Donald's status as a bona fide Ryder Cup legend after masterminding the 'Romp in Rome' in 2023. As a player, he is still the only man to win home and away as a player, making this victory particularly significant.
How an extraordinary day unfolded
The US needed 10 points to regain the trophy, with their task made even harder by Viktor Hovland's absence due to injury. The first match saw rookie Cam Young scoring a birdie against Justin Rose, sparking a series of thrilling performances.
Despite the Americans' attempts to rally, Europe maintained control for much of the day. Aberg's victory brought it to 13-8 but the competition was intense, with the US claiming several key points.
The match continued to unfold with an astonishing finish. Hatton and Lowry emerged victorious at crucial moments, leading to a thrilling conclusion where Europe clinched the victory with a score of 15-13.
Rory McIlroy's contributions throughout the week solidified Europe's win, showcasing resilience in the face of a fiercely competitive match. The 2025 Ryder Cup will undoubtedly be remembered as a showcase of talent, strategy, and enduring sportsmanship.