Credited from: BBC
In a thrilling climax to the Ryder Cup, Europe clinched victory over the United States with a final score of 15-13 on Sunday at Bethpage, New York. Shane Lowry played a pivotal role, making a dramatic six-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to secure a crucial half-point that guaranteed Europe would retain the trophy. Lowry expressed his joy, stating, "I just can't believe that putt went in... It means everything to me," highlighting the significance of the event for the players involved, according to CBS News and BBC.
The dramatic finale followed a tense Sunday where the US attempted a historic comeback after falling behind. With a record 11.5-4.5 lead established by Europe before the singles matches, the Americans needed to achieve an improbable 14.5 points to regain the cup. Despite their efforts, including early victories by Cameron Young and Justin Thomas, the US was unable to bridge the gap and fell short. "We knew they’d be tough; we didn’t think they’d be this tough," admitted Europe’s captain Luke Donald, reflecting on the intense competition, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.
Europe's victory marks their fourth away win in Ryder Cup history and builds on their recent success, having won 11 of the last 15 matches. Lowry's heroics culminated in a tie against American Russell Henley, earning Europe its 14th point. Tyrrell Hatton then secured the overall win by halving his match against Collin Morikawa, according to Le Monde and Al Jazeera.
The American team demonstrated strength in their final-day performance but ultimately showcased the challenges they face in comparison to the consistent culture and strategy of Europe. US captain Keegan Bradley acknowledged the struggle, stating, "It’s got to be the most stressful 12 hours of my life," while also noting the strong showing of his players on the final day. The underlying issues within the US team, including poor course setup and leadership decisions, contributed to their difficulties in achieving victory, according to BBC and CBS News.