A beatdown at Bethpage Black suddenly turned into a war, but Europe held on late to retain the Ryder Cup.
Euro ended day two up 11.5-4.5, the largest deficit a USA team has ever faced in the event’s current 28-point format. However, after Viktor Hovland had to withdraw due to a neck injury, Harris English sat the bench, and their match was ruled a tie due to event rules.
Thus, Europe needed just two points out of 11 to be the first repeat champion since Europe was three straight from 2010 to 2014.
However, it was certainly a grind to get those two points. The United States won three straight points, with Cam Young and Justin Thomas both birdieing on 18 to win their matches, 1 up.
Bryson DeChambeau fought back from 5 down through seven to tie his match with Matt Fitzpatrick, who could have won it had he not missed a 3-footer on 17 while up one.
Ludvig Aberg beat Patrick Cantlay, 2 & 1, to give Europe 13.5 points, but after that, Europe did not lead any of the remaining matches. Suddenly, the United States closed their gap to just three points.
But down one on 18, Shane Lowry won the hole against Russell Henley to tie his match get the half point needed to retain the cup.
An emotional Lowry went absolutely insane on the green, celebrating with teammates, family, and friends.
Lowry got the brunt of several jabs throughout the weekend from the United States crowd, which may be the only bad part about being paired with Rory McIlroy at the Ryder Cup.
It’s also the first time an away team has won a Ryder Cup since Europe’s amazing comeback in 2012 at Medinah.
Europe won each of the first four sessions, a Ryder Cup first. Three of those sessions were 3-1 scores.
