Europe retains the Ryder Cup and reasserts dominance over Individuals

Staff Europe is taking the Ryder Cup again throughout the Atlantic Ocean, leaving the Individuals to seek for solutions in what’s turning into a lopsided collection.

Shane Lowry added his title to Irish lore within the Ryder Cup with a 6-foot birdie putt on the 18th gap Sunday that assured Europe of retaining the cup. Tyrrell Hatton halved his match to make Europe an outright winner for the eleventh time within the final 15 matches.

Luke Donald turned the primary European captain to win again to again within the Ryder Cup since Tony Jacklin in 1985 and 1987. He had 11 of the identical 12 gamers who gained huge in Rome two years in the past. Much more spectacular was doing it on U.S. soil — at Bethpage Black, no much less — with hostile followers that had been loud and vulgar and relentless.

The ultimate rating tally — Europe 15, United States 13 — was the one actual shock.

The Individuals at the least confirmed a pulse and made their opponents sweat greater than anybody imagined, storming again from the most important Sunday deficit ever in opposition to Europe.

There was a second the place a comeback truly regarded attainable.

Cameron Younger and Justin Thomas gained matches on the 18th gap. Bryson DeChambeau charged from 5 all the way down to earn a halve. Scottie Scheffler prevented getting blanked by successful his heavyweight match in opposition to Rory McIlroy.

Lowry, who contended with the worst of the New York crowds all week, had the final phrase.

He birdied three of the final 4 holes, and his ultimate putt will put him alongside different Irishmen who’ve produced Ryder Cup heroics — Graeme McDowell at Celtic Manor in 2010, Darren Clarke and his emotional week at The Okay Membership, Paul McGinley at The Belfry in 2002.

Russell Henley had a 1-up lead and twice had 10-foot birdie putts on the closing holes. He left each of them quick. The final one set the stage for Lowry, who made the putt and set off a wild celebration as hundreds of followers streamed by means of the exits.

Lowry mentioned to his caddie strolling up the 18th, “I’ve an opportunity to do the best factor in my life.” And he did simply that.

The Individuals tied a Ryder Cup report by successful 8 1/2 factors from the 12 singles matches. They wanted 10 factors.

The Individuals nonetheless have a 27-16-2 lead within the collection that date to 1927, however the fashionable Ryder Cup did not begin till 1979 when continental Europe was invited to the social gathering. Since then, Europe has captured the cup 13 out of 19 occasions.

McIlroy had mentioned successful a highway Ryder Cup was among the many greatest accomplishments in golf. It is simply not all that uncommon. Europe has gained 5 of the final 10 away from house.

Europe’s greatest gamers starred at Bethpage Black at the same time as New York followers hurled abuse, constructing a report seven-point lead going into the 12 singles matches.

Europe put a half-point on the board earlier than a shot was hit. Viktor Hovland, who had a summer time neck damage flare up on Saturday, was compelled to withdraw. Harris English, whose title had been put within the secret envelope, additionally sat out and the match was declared halved.

That meant the Individuals needed to win 9 of the 11 matches and halve one other they usually put up an astonishing struggle, lastly listening to cheers for the U.S. as an alternative of solely vitriol towards Europe.

“They performed higher than us,” mentioned U.S. captain Keegan Bradley, who mentioned his one remorse is likely to be the way in which he arrange the course. Bethpage Black has a popularity of being a beast, however the tough was trimmed again after which heavy rain throughout the week made the greens smooth.

There have been birdies galore, a rarity on the Black. There was hostility from the group, typical of this area and this public golf course.

And there was a European celebration, which is turning into all too acquainted.