Europe fought off a thrilling United States rally to retain the Ryder Cup on Sunday with Irishman Shane Lowry securing the trophy with a dramatic six-foot birdie putt.
Lowry’s putt lifted him into a tie with American Russell Henley for the half-point that gave Europe a 14-11 lead with three matches remaining, all the visitors needed to keep the trophy after a 2023 victory in Rome.
Europe seized a record 11.5-4.5 lead after pairs sessions, which became 12-5 after Norway’s Viktor Hovland withdrew from singles due to a neck injury and his match with Harris English was declared a draw.
Early losses by Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose had Europe reeling but Sweden’s Ludwig Aberg beat Patrick Cantlay 2&1 and Matt Fitzpatrick, despite squandering a 5-up lead after seven holes, tied Bryson DeChambeau to put Europe on the brink.
Having won the Cup in Rome in 2023, Europe needed only 14 points to keep it while the Americans needed 14.5 point to recapture it, which would have taken the greatest last-day comeback in Cup history.
It nearly happened and tensions grew to epic levels before Lowry’s heroic finish.