Europe clinches the Ryder Cup as the U.S. rally falls short at Bethpage Black
Europe held its nerve on Sunday, fending off a furious U.S. rally in singles play to retain golf’s ultimate team prize at Bethpage Black. The late drama centered on the day’s pivotal 18th-hole moment, where an Irishman’s nerveless birdie sealed the fate of America’s comeback hopes.
The Europeans entered the final day needing just 2 points to secure the trophy and watched as their advantage grew to 11.5-4.5 after a saturated Saturday session. The schedule was further complicated when Viktor Hovland’s neck injury forced his withdrawal, converting what would have been a decisive match into a draw and shifting the balance even more in Europe’s favor.
Key moments from Sunday singles
The United States did not go quietly, striking early with two wins on the 18th green as Cameron Young and Justin Thomas both executed birdie putts to defeat Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood, respectively. The early push rekindled some hope for a dramatic finish, but Europe’s unit remained steady in the face of pressure.
Amid the day’s back-and-forth, a trio of results underscored the Americans’ resilience while underscoring Europe’s resilience. Bryson DeChambeau managed to halve his match with Matt Fitzpatrick after a cheeky fightback from five holes down through seven, keeping the American charge alive. In another marquee battle, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler recovered from a slow start to edge Rory McIlroy by one hole, keeping the pressure on Europe’s roster.
Lowry-Henley halved—an ending that decided the trophy
The deciding moment arrived in the week’s defining competition, as Shane Lowry and Russell Henley battled to a half-point on No. 18. Lowry rolled in a 6-foot birdie putt while Henley missed from a similar distance a few feet farther out, producing the pivotal half that sent Europe past the threshold to 14 points and securing the Cup for the continent.
“I mean, I’ve been so lucky to experience amazing things in this game,” Lowry, in tears, said after the round. “That was the hardest couple hours of my life. Honestly. I just can’t believe it. I can’t believe that putt went in. … The Ryder Cup means everything to me.”
What this means for the Ryder Cup legacy
European captain and players delivered under pressure, transforming a potential blowout into a testament to depth, cohesion, and tenacity. For Europe, the victory preserves a storied tradition of
