Europe resist US fightback to retain the Ryder Cup

By Andy Hampson

Europe have retained the Ryder Cup after holding off a dramatic fightback from the United States at Bethpage Black.

The host side, trailing by seven points heading into Sunday’s singles session, roared back into contention with a series of tight wins but the holders just did enough to cling on.

Shane Lowry delivered the crucial half-point in match number eight, taking Europe to 14 points by holing a putt to tie against Russell Henley.

England’s Tyrrell Hatton iced the cake soon after with a half-point from his match against Collin Morikawa.

That took Europe to the 14-1/2 point target they needed for the outright win.

“It’s been one of the hardest days I’ve ever experienced on a golf course,” said Hatton after Europe’s ultimate 15-13 triumph.

“It was to be expected, they’re amazing players – selfishly I was hoping it wouldn’t have to come down to me.

“I’m just so happy we’ve managed to win.”

Lowry had trailed by one heading to the 18th but a superb second shot allowed him to hole for birdie three after Henley had been forced to settle for a four.

That took the score to 14-11 and ensured Europe could not be beaten with three matches still out on the course.

That the contest got so close was remarkable given the size of Europe’s lead, 11.5-4.5, after Saturday’s play and how dispirited the Americans seemed.

Europe had needed to secure just two and a half points to retain the cup and the half came before play even started when Viktor Hovland withdrew injured and his clash with Harris English declared a draw.

But the hosts showed incredible fighting spirit to threaten the most unlikely of comebacks.

Cameron Young and Justin Thomas edged thrilling battles on the 18th green against big guns Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood and Xander Schauffele overpowered Jon Rahm 4&3.

Ludvig Aberg finally stemmed the tide as he beat Patrick Cantlay 2&1 and Matt Fitzpatrick held off a storming fightback from Bryson DeChambeau to halve his match having led by five after eight holes.

Yet the Americans continued to battle and Scottie Scheffler, after four defeats in the opening two days, saw off Rory McIlroy in a titantic struggle that also went to the 18th.

JJ Spaun delivered another point at the expense of Sepp Straka, but Lowry held his nerve when it mattered to fight back and claim his vital half.

Europe have captured the cup 13 out of 19 times since 1979, the start of the modern era, and have won five of the last 10 Ryder Cups on US soil.

The atmosphere was incredibly heated. Enthusiastic crowds – and announcers – tried their best to unsettle the Europeans.

An American crowd announcer at the Ryder Cup has stood down after leading an expletive-filled chant about European talisman Rory McIlroy.

Heather McMahan urged fans at the first tee to shout “f*** you Rory!” together after players were introduced to the crowd before the start of the afternoon session of the second day at Bethpage Black on Saturday.

It was one of a number of unsavoury incidents on a fractious, fraught day of action overshadowed by crowd problems and set the tone for a lot of the treatment McIlroy subsequently received.

McMahan was not the main announcer at the event, but was supposed to be entertaining the crowd.

A statement from the PGA of America, the event organisers, read: “Heather McMahan has extended an apology to Rory Mcllroy and Ryder Cup Europe and has stepped down from hosting the first tee of the Ryder Cup.”

European captain Luke Donald later accused American fans of “crossing the line” on Saturday after his players, most notably McIlroy, were subjected to heckling and abuse, with comments repeatedly aimed at the Northern Irishman as he prepared to play shots.

At one point in the morning, McIlroy shouted at a fan and his afternoon match was held up a number of times as appeals for calm – some from opponent Justin Thomas – were made.

Donald said: “It was loud, it was raucous.

“What I consider crossing the line is personal insults and making sounds when they are trying to hit on their backswings or very close to when they are trying to go into their routines. That did happen a little bit.”

The PGA of America did not comment when asked by the PA news agency about reports of further disturbances, including fighting, in the crowd.

Much had been made of the hostile reception Europe were likely to be given by a boisterous, partisan New York crowd.

McIlroy and partner Shane Lowry heard much of the abuse sent Europe’s way, repeatedly clashing with fans on their way to a win in their match with Thomas and Cameron Young.

McIlroy described it as a “really challenging day”, while Lowry seemed to relish the atmosphere.

“It was intense. It was like something I’ve never experienced,” he said. “But this is what I live for. This is it. This is, like, honestly, the reason I get up in the morning, for stuff like this.”

McIlroy said: “People can be their own judge of whether they took it too far or not. I’m just proud of us for being able to win today with what we had to go through.”

The clashes were not only with the crowd, though.

Bryson DeChambeau screamed in the face of Tommy Fleetwood after his partner Justin Rose had complained about DeChambeau’s caddy Greg Bodine walking across the line of his putt, with players and caddies getting involved in the spat.

“I was ready to hit my putt,” Rose said. “I didn’t feel like that space was being honoured. I made my feelings known. Asked him to move.

“Maybe not as politely as I could have done, but in the scenario, it’s coming down the stretch, we both have a lot on our minds and it’s intense out there.”