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The European jubilation has begun in New York as Luke Donald’s team celebrates their thrilling Ryder Cup victory over the USA with a lively party at Bethpage Black.
On a stunning final day, where the hosts almost pulled off one of the most improbable sporting comebacks ever, Luke Donald’s players ultimately kept their composure when it counted to secure Europe’s first win on American ground since 2012.
Shane Lowry’s crucial putt against Russell Henley ensured they would keep the Ryder Cup, a moment of sheer joy, before Tyrrell Hatton took a half-point to officially confirm the victory.
Although they clinched the win in a much tighter manner than anticipated, Europe’s champions will feel none the less victorious having achieved a Ryder Cup win away from home.
As night descended on Bethpage Black on Sunday, players like Lowry, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, and Jon Rahm were just kicking off the celebration.
The delighted European stars remained on the course to start their spirited festivities, popping open champagne bottles and spraying them to commemorate their remarkable triumph on foreign soil.
The European celebrations are underway in New York after their Ryder Cup victory on Sunday
Luke Donald masterminded Europe’s first triumph on US soil since 2012 in dramatic fashion
His players then cracked open the champagne and partied the night away at Bethpage Black
They also savored the moment with a large crowd of adoring fans, who had remained on the course to watch them dance the night away while behind barriers.
After a weekend marred by vile abuse from American fans, which spiraled out of control when McIlroy’s wife Erica was struck by a drink on Saturday, it is Europe who have had the last laugh in New York.
McIlroy, who lost his singles match against Scottie Scheffler on the day, was targeted relentlessly by US supporters during the three days of the competition and subjected to continual taunts and attempts to disrupt his game.
And following the victory, the Northern Irishman described the ugly scenes that unfolded as ‘unacceptable’.
‘Look,’ McIlroy said, ‘I don’t think we should ever accept that behaviour in golf. I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week.
‘Golf has the ability to you unite people. Golf teaches you very good life lessons. It teaches you etiquette. It teaches you how to play by the rules. It teaches you how to respect people.
‘Sometimes this week we didn’t see that. So no, this should not be what is acceptable in the Ryder Cup.
The likes of Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy popped bottles as the boozy celebrations started
Lowry got the half point to retain the Ryder Cup, before Tyrrell Hatton (left) sealed the win
Europe players also celebrated with a number of adoring fans who stayed behind for the party
McIlroy has added another Ryder Cup win to his collection despite losing his singles match
Lowry is the man of the moment after holding his nerve to ensure Europe retained the trophy
He covered his good friend and teammate McIlroy in champagne on the grass at Bethpage
Donald was a relieved man in the end after USA threatened to pull off a historic comeback
His players will care very little about their near-collapse after holding firm for the victory
McIlroy took a swig from a champagne bottle as the celebrations commenced in New York
Matt Fitzpatrick also looked on cloud nine after playing his part in a Ryder Cup win for the ages
‘But you know, we will be making sure to say to our fans in Ireland in 2027 that what happened here this week is not acceptable, and for me, it’s — you know, come and support your home team. Come and support your team.
‘I think if I was an American, I would be annoyed that people…I didn’t hear a lot of shouts for Scottie today, but I heard a lot of shouts against me. It’s like, support your players. That’s the thing.’
Meanwhile, Donald also clashed with USA captain Keegan Bradley over a little-known Ryder Cup rule that proved pivotal on the final day.
Europe sealed their 15-13 win thanks in part to half a point from Viktor Hovland – despite the Norwegian withdrawing from his singles match against Harris English.
Hovland was forced to pull out after aggravating a neck injury and that meant the ‘secret envelope’ protocol came into play.
Under those rules, which have been invoked only twice since 1979, each captain named one player prior to the singles who they would bench in the event of an injury or illness on the opposing team. Bradley designated English.
The extra half-point proved critical as Europe withstood a final-day charge from the Americans. And after the match, Bradley fumed that the rule ‘has to change.’
Europe eventually secured a 15-13 win after entering the final day leading by seven points
Lowry’s match-halving putt on the 18th was enough to spare their blushes on the final day
‘I think it’s obvious to everybody in the sports world, in this room,’ he said. ‘Nothing against Viktor. But that rule needs to change by the next Ryder Cup.’
When those comments were put to Team Europe during their press conference, Donald hit back: ‘We have contracts for a reason, a captains’ agreement for a reason, for situations that occur.
‘The rule is the rule and it’s been in place for a long time… I think it’s been in place since 1971. The US have used it before. I think it happened in 1991 with Steve Pate.
‘That was a tight Ryder Cup, too, 14.5-13.5. It happened in 1993 – Sam Torrance couldn’t play with an injured toe. The US won that one.’
