Europe again prevail on home soil
The successful European Team – Image courtesy of Rolex
It was a week that had it all. A tearaway leader on day one, the spice and feistiness on display on day two and final day that kept the intrigue and match result alive for much longer than most would have imagined to be the case, but the Ryder Cup seldom fails to deliver and this week was no exception.
In the end, the Europeans won by five points, 16½to 11½, a result that appeared inevitable at the completion of day two but halfway through the twelve singles matches, a number of different scenarios were still in play and the impossible did at times seem possible, if remotely.
It would take until Tommy Fleetwood’s short birdie putt was conceded in the 11th match of the day at the 16th to ensure that the sought-after half point was secured, that the Europeans were assured of the 14½ points to regain the Cup. Fleetwood would go on to win the match 3&1.
They would eventually add points by Robert McIntyre and a half point by Shane Lowry to extend the margin to five and secure their 13th win in 19 encounters since their first in 1985.
It has been a phenomenal record for a European team that has typically been the underdogs (mathematically at least) heading into each event but their capacity to gel as a team and defy the odds on occasions has turned this contest into not only golf’s greatest event but arguably one of the world’s greatest sporting battles.
A star team has often been capable of overcoming a team of stars and this week once again proved that to be the case. Both captains did a good job but Europe’s Luke Donald’s emotional post-event interview told the story of his passion for task.
And so, by the time the Americans get to Adare Manor in Ireland in four years’ time, it will be a massive 34 years since they have won on European soil and there is every reason to believe that stat will be extended further in County Kildare.
The leading points scorer for the Europeans was Rory McIlroy with 4 points while for the USA side debutante Max Homa led the way with 3½.
