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The Ryder Cup is returning to Europe after Rory McIlroy and his teammates narrowly edged out Team USA on a tense final day to maintain their hold on the trophy and achieve a significant victory on foreign soil.
Despite facing persistent and occasionally overly personal hostility, the Europeans managed to fortify their lead and leave the New York arena not only unharmed but also with the trophy in hand.
Europe entered the Sunday singles needing just two more points to secure the win. However, Justin Rose was unable to secure the first of these points in his match against Cameron Young, who clinched an invaluable initial victory for the USA with a decisive birdie on the 18th hole.
As American red began to dominate the scoreboards, Justin Thomas then defeated Tommy Fleetwood, unsettling the visitors and igniting the possibility of an unexpected comeback by the hosts.
Ludvig Aberg provided Europe with its first singles win of the day against Patrick Cantlay, leaving them only needing half a point to retain the trophy. Yet, Scottie Scheffler narrowly defeated Rory McIlroy, and JJ Spaun overcame Sepp Straka, continuing the American push.
However, just when a disastrous collapse seemed imminent, Shane Lowry secured the crucial half-point needed to guarantee that Europe would, at the very least, retain the Ryder Cup.
The Ryder Cup is heading back to Europe after Shane Lowry helped them avoid a huge collapse
Lowry’s half point ensured the visitors retained the trophy on an unexpectedly nervy last day
Rory McIlroy has won another Ryder Cup despite losing his singles match to Scottie Scheffler
Lowry showed nerves of steel to win the final hole of his showdown with Russell Henley, which tied the match and secured the all-important half point.
He 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.
And to officially avoid disaster, Tyrrell Hatton secured another half point in his match against Collin Morikawa to wrap up the victory. Robert MacIntyre then did the same against Sam Burns, handing Europe a final 15-13 win.
It means they have clinched a first away Ryder Cup win since the Miracle at Medinah back in 2012, earning captain Luke Donald a special place in the history books.
For USA counterpart Keegan Bradley, a disastrous opening two days left his team with simply too great of a mountain to climb heading into Sunday’s singles, despite their remarkable efforts in trying to do so against all the odds.
The host side, trailing by seven points heading into Sunday’s singles session and priced at a staggering +4500 to pull off the turnaround, roared back into contention with a series of tight wins to provide the most unlikely of glimmering hopes.
Yet despite their best attempts, the Ryder Cup trophy will not be staying in America.
American captain Keegan Bradley was left to rue a nightmare first two days in New York
The likes of Justin Thomas produced an incredible effort on Sunday to give Europe a big scare
Luke Donald was left relieved after Lowry’s pivotal putt ensured he kept hold of the Ryder Cup
Tyrrell Hatton (right) then took another half point to ensure Europe won the it outright
But it was Lowry who stole the headlines after his vital putt on the 18th spared their blushes
He was left ecstatic after proving the hero for Europe on a dramatically frantic Sunday
Jon Rahm embraced his teammate after he ensured the Ryder Cup is heading home with them
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.
Young and Thomas edged thrilling battles on the 18th green against big guns Rose and Fleetwood respectively, and Xander Schauffele overpowered Jon Rahm 4&3.
Aberg finally stemmed the tide as he beat Cantlay 2&1 and Fitzpatrick held off a storming fightback from DeChambeau to halve his match having led by five after eight holes.
Yet the Americans continued to battle and Scheffler, after four defeats in the opening two days, saw off McIlroy in a titanic struggle that also went to the 18th.
Spaun delivered another point at the expense of Straka, but Lowry held his nerve when it mattered to fight back and claim his vital half.
This weekend has been one to forget for USA after Friday and Saturday’s matches were marred by the vile abuse of European players at Bethpage Black.
McIlroy’s wife Erica was reportedly brought to tears after being hit by a drink from the crowd, before her husband could be seen consoling her.
The Northern Irishman was subjected to relentless verbal abuse on Saturday, including chants of ‘f*** you Rory’ and insults about his love life with Erica.
Bradley congratulated Europe counterpart Donald after a thrilling Sunday in New York
Lowry then enjoyed a cider on the course at Bethpage Black after getting Europe over the line
European players were subjected to vile abuse over the course of the weekend, with McIlroy’s wife Erica left in tears at one stage after being hit by a drink
In a video which circulated on Saturday, he can be seen wiping something from Erica’s hat and asking her if she is okay as they moved away from the stand of rowdy fans, surrounded by security for the European team.
But in more recent footage, McIlroy is seen to have an even more impassioned reaction to Stoll being struck.
In a clip shared by Spanish-language outlet Movistar, footage is captured of the drink appearing to hit Stoll’s hat.
In the ensuing melee, Stoll looked around shocked, as if to see where the projectile had come from.
McIlroy’s initial reaction seemed to be to head into the crowd and find the perpetrator, with the player having to be held back by security provided to protect him and his family.
After being dissuaded from doing so, McIlroy went to comfort Stoll, walking away from the fans with his wife.
