England’s Tyrrell Hatton delivered a decisive performance at the Ryder Cup, securing a crucial half-point in his match against American Collin Morikawa to clinch victory for Europe in a nail-biting contest at Bethpage Black. The European team’s triumph was confirmed earlier in the day when Shane Lowry retained the trophy by halving his match against Russell Henley, paving the way for Hatton’s pivotal moment in the penultimate match of the tournament.
Heading into the final day, Europe required only 2.5 points from 11 singles matches to claim victory, though many anticipated an earlier conclusion. Hatton, reflecting on Europe’s 15-13 win, remarked, “It’s been one of the hardest days I’ve ever experienced on a golf course,” before sharing his relief and joy at the team’s accomplishment.
The victory marks yet another successful Ryder Cup for Europe, who have now won 11 of the last 15 editions since 1995. Englishman Luke Donald became the first captain to lead the team to consecutive victories since Tony Jacklin in the 1980s, saying, “It’s got to be the most stressful 12 hours of my life. We knew they’d be tough, but we didn’t think they’d be this tough.”
Despite a formidable final-day charge from Team USA, led by victories from Cameron Young and Justin Thomas, Europe’s resilience and strategic play saw them fend off the late American surge. The U.S. team’s hopes briefly flickered with Xander Schauffele’s win over Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler’s narrow victory against Rory McIlroy in their first-ever singles clash, but it was Hatton’s steady play that ultimately sealed the match for Europe.
In a noteworthy turn of events, Viktor Hovland’s withdrawal due to injury led to his match against Harris English being declared a tie, granting each team a half-point. Nonetheless, the day’s drama unfolded with Europe showcasing their characteristic grit and teamwork to emerge victorious.
The Ryder Cup win underscores Europe’s winning tradition in the prestigious biennial event, contrasting with recent talk of the narrowing gap between the two sides. The triumph encapsulates Europe’s strategic prowess, depth of skill, and the enduring spirit of camaraderie that continues to drive their success in this storied golf competition.