Europe defeated the United States 16 1/2 – 11 1/2 to reclaim the Ryder Cup after a dominant opening singles series on Sunday at the Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome.
Luke Donald’s side avenged their shocking defeat to Whistling Straits two years ago, beating an American team that had been constantly trying to make up ground throughout the competition.
Europe needed just four points in the final session to secure the Ryder Cup trophy after extending the early lead they built on day one as the weekend progressed.
Tommy Fleetwood secured half a point for Europe and the Ryder Cup when Rickie Fowler conceded on the 16th to give the hosts the half point needed to win the title.
Rory McIlroy bounced back with superstar performance from his feud with Patrick Cantlay’s caddy on Saturday night, which was caused by the American staff member refusing to get out of his way as he tried to putt the ball.
Team Europe regained the Ryder Cup after a dominant performance against the USA over the weekend
Tommy Fleetwood gave Europe half a point on the 16th hole and secured the Ryder Cup
Viktor Hovland (pictured) scored Europe’s first point of the day after beating Colin Morikawa
Jon Rahm (pictured) saved half a point for Europe in his headliner against Scottie Scheffler
Rahm (left) and Scheffler (right) equalized their individual rounds as Europe moved ever closer to victory
European captain Luke Donald transformed the team during his tenure, leading them to a magical Ryder Cup victory
Jon Rahm kicked off his title push on Sunday when he took an early lead against Scottie Scheffler before being pushed back in a hard-fought battle.
Scheffler missed a game-winning putt on the 17th when the ball missed the drop, giving Rahm a chance to recover on the final hole.
The Spaniard did just that with his powerful drive, which allowed him to level the score against Scheffler in a battle of two golfing giants fit for the nearby Roman amphitheater. A tie is the deserved outcome.
Viktor Hovland enjoyed a more comfortable game against Colin Morikawa, taking a two-man lead on the front nine and continuing to impress in the back half of the course, securing Europe’s first full point of the day.
The Norwegian overcame his American competition, recording a dominant 4&3 victory and, at a crucial stage in the proceedings, ensuring that Europe moved within three points of the Ryder Cup victory.
America tried to fight back as Patrick Cantlay impressed with a 2-1 win over Justin Rose to take the visitors to seven competition points, but they needed seven more to claim the stunning victory.
With only two and a half points left for the hosts, McIlroy wanted to ensure he would be there to help Europe win by producing a sensational round against Sam Burns.
The Northern Irishman’s outstanding performance was an ode to the saying ‘don’t poke the sleeping lion’. McIlroy was stung by America on Saturday night and roared with revenge to pummel his opponent.
Team USA’s players looked dejected as they failed to complete the sensational comeback
Rory McIlroy dominated on Sunday afternoon as he beat Sam Burns with a 3&1 victory
McIlroy’s victory brought Europe within a point and a half of the Ryder Cup victory
Tyrrell Hatton punched the air in joy as his win brought Europe within half a point of the Ryder Cup
The 34-year-old broke down in tears after his heroics and admitted he had used Saturday night’s incident to secure his fourth win of the weekend. His best Ryder Cup and a true leader for Europe.
Only a point and a half was needed and Tyrrell Hatton was there to add another, beating Georgia-born Brian Harman 3&2.
Hatton’s brilliant bunker shot on the 16th brought him within a meter of the hole and Harman’s miss gave the Englishman a legitimate victory.
Europe was so close, but a look at the scoreboard showed it was also so far away, as the USA were ahead in Italy’s next four games.
Matt Fitzpatrick had a chance to win the Ryder Cup for Europe in his competition with Max Homa, but missed his putt as his attempt went just wide.
Homa delivered a perfect chip that took him close to the pin and held his nerve to take the victory and bring America to nine points.
Xander Schauffele secured another win for America by defeating Nicolai Hojgaard 3&2 while reigning US PGA Champion Brooks Koepka starred in a 3&2 win over Ludvig Aberg 3&2 as America chases a dream wanted to continue his comeback.
Max Homa (pictured) held his nerve and prevented Matt Fitzpatrick from winning the Ryder Cup on the 18th
However, Fleetwood was there to dash America’s ambitions after hitting arguably the best drive of his career on the par-three 16th, giving him two chances to win the hole after Ricky Fowler deflected his shot into the water.
His first hit was placed just a meter from the hole and Fowler gave him the hole that sealed victory, although Europe had to wait for the official result to be announced.
An emotional Shane Lowry secured Europe another half point and took Europe to 15 total points when he sank a great 15-foot putt on the 17th hole and one-up against Jordan Spieth.
Fleetwood would then capitalize on a faltering Fowler to win their round 3&1 and further cement Europe’s dominance by reclaiming the Ryder Cup, before Lowry added another half point and Scot Robert Macintyre beat Wyndham Clark to a nerve-wracking final day to finish in Rome.