The headlines were almost written before Sunday’s singles even began — Europe had dominated the first two days, leading by a record 11½ – 4½.[1] They only needed three points from 12 matches to win. No team had ever come back from more than four points down to win. Surely a formality?
Not at all. The Americans fought back in a way people will talk about for years. In the end, Europe stumbled to a 15‑13 victory. Ludvig Aberg was the only European to win his match outright, while six Americans grabbed wins.
Tyrrell Hatton, playing in match 10, finally got Europe to the needed 14½ points, making them only the fifth European side ever to win away — and the first since 2012. It was fitting that an Englishman sealed the point, as Hatton was one of just two Europeans unbeaten all week. The other was Shane Lowry, who had earlier sunk a putt to take Europe to 14 points and guarantee retention of the trophy.
It is a triumph that further cements Luke Donald’s reputation as a true Ryder Cup legend. After masterminding Europe’s win in Rome in 2023, Donald — who also won all four Ryder Cups he played in — is now the second captain (after Tony Jacklin in 1985/87) to lead Europe to victories both at home and away. He is also the only person to have done so as a player and as a captain.
How the Drama Unfolded
The US needed 10 points from 12 singles matches to take the trophy back. No team had ever won more than 8½ singles points.
Complications began when Europe announced Viktor Hovland would not play due to a neck injury. Under Ryder Cup rules, one US player also sat out and both sides received a half point, making the score 12 – 5 for Europe before the singles began.
When Cam Young and Justin Rose walked out for the opening match, no one could have predicted what would follow. Young, a rookie, birdied the first hole. Rose battled back and took the lead after five holes. Meanwhile, Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick, Rory McIlroy, and Ludvig Aberg were all in good positions. The typically raucous New York crowd fell silent as Europe looked dominant.
But then momentum shifted. Young won four of seven holes to go three ahead. Justin Thomas took control against Fleetwood. Bryson DeChambeau clawed back after losing the first half of his match. Aberg’s lead was pegged back by Patrick Cantlay. The swings of a Ryder Cup Sunday were in full force.
Sepp Straka started strongly but lost ground to JJ Spaun. Lowry was in a tight battle with Russell Henley. Rasmus Hojgaard trailed Ben Griffin throughout.
Rose fought back to win his match against Young. Fleetwood and Thomas went down to the final hole, where Thomas edged it. Xander Schauffele gave the Americans their biggest win, crushing Jon Rahm 4&3. At that point Europe were still hunting their required points.
Aberg claimed one more point with a par on the 17th. That was Europe’s only full point — the lowest tally in a 12‑match singles round. 13‑8.
DeChambeau drew level with Fitzpatrick, earning a half point. Europe were now 13½–8½. Suddenly, the American crowd believed again — and McIlroy became the centre of attention, as he had been targeted all week. He had already delivered 3½ points from four matches. On Sunday, he lost to Scottie Scheffler, who had lost all four of his matches. McIlroy pushed him to the 18th but was unable to make the shot he needed.
Europe needed a half point to win. Both final matches came down to the wire. Griffin held off Hojgaard, making it 14½–12½ when Hatton tapped in a birdie putt at the 18th after his opponent’s long birdie try missed. Finally, Robert MacIntyre won the last hole to seal the half point against Sam Burns, finalising the score 15‑13. The Americans had matched the Ryder Cup record of 8½ singles wins, but all the celebration was European blue.
McIlroy had once said after winning in Rome that they would win at Bethpage — and that winning away is the hardest thing in golf. He was right on both counts.
References
- ^ leading by a record 11½ – 4½. (sportsration.com)