Europe retain Ryder Cup on dramatic final day after stirring USA comeback

Europe have retained the Ryder Cup despite a nervy final day against the USA at Bethpage Black in New York. Shane Lowry sunk the winning put on the 18th hole against Russell Henley to tie the match and take Luke Donald's men to the magical 14-point mark they needed.

Tyrrell Hatton then tied his match with Collin Morikawa which took Europe to 14 and a half points, meaning they won the Ryder Cup outright. Robert MacIntyre halved his match against Sam Burns leaving the final score at 15-13 to Europe.

Heading into the final day needing just two and a half points from 12 singles matches, that became two when Viktor Hovland pulled out with a shoulder injury and his match against Harris English was subsequently halved.

But Cameron Young, Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele recorded victories over Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Jon Rahm respectively to close the gap and set European pulses racing.

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Ludvig Aberg, the only European to win his match on Sunday, stopped the rot by getting the better of Patrick Cantlay taking Europe to within a point of glory. Matt Fitzpatrick then tied his match with Bryson DeChambeau despite being five shots ahead through eight holes. It meant Europe needed just one more tie from the remaining six matches.

Scottie Scheffler, who had lost all four of his matches over Friday and Saturday, delayed Europe's coronation further by getting the better of Rory McIlroy. Then JJ Spaun beat Sepp Straka.

But after Henley missed the opportunity to putt for the match, Lowry held his nerve to seal the half a point Europe needed and spark scenes of wild celebrations among his teammates.

Speaking to Sky Sports after securing the title, an emotional Lowry said: "I've been so lucky to experience amazing things in this game, that was the hardest couple of hours of my life. Honestly. I just can't believe it. I can't believe that putt went in. I was just stood over it going, 'Well, this is it.' I said to Darren walking down to 18, 'I have the chance to do the coolest thing in my life here.'

"The Ryder Cup means everything to me, honestly. I won The Open in Ireland, it's amazing it's a dream come true, but the Ryder Cup for me is everything. To do that there today in front of everyone, it's like... it was so hard out there. I mean, fair play to the US lads, like, we knew they were going to come out fighting.

"But yeah. I just hope one of the boys can get a half-point so we can get the win. Obviously we retain the cup but we want a win as well.

"Luke [Donald] is the greatest captain that has ever lived. He's the most amazing man in the world. He's done the best job. I don't know what to say."

When asked about the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland, Lowry added: "It will be a little bit nicer than playing here, I know that!"

After Lowry's winning putt, Ben Griffin beat Rasmus Hojgaard to keep alive the USA's hope of clawing it back to 14-14 with two matches still to finish.

But Hatton halved his match with Morikawa and Donald finally allowed himself to celebrate with outright victory secured.

"That has to be the most stressful 12 hours of my life," Donald said. "A shoutout to the Americans, and Keegan Bradley's captaincy. We knew they would be tough but we didn't know they would be this tough. They fought so hard so respect to them.

"This means a lot to me, to the team. We came here knowing the task couldn't be more difficult and I couldn't be more proud of what these guys have gone through.

"They have come together. They are playing for history, playing for people who came before them and now they will be talked about for generations to come. This will go down in history."

Europe's domination of the first two days begun on Friday morning when they won the foursomes 3-1. Tyrrell Hatton and Rahm, Aberg and Fitzpatrick and Fleetwood and McIlroy each won their games, while Cantlay and Schauffele got the USA on the board.

The advantage was hammered home in the fourballs thanks to Rahm and Straka and Fleetwood and Rose. Their wins, plus a half for Lowry and McIlroy, meant Europe ended the first day with a three-point buffer.

Both the foursomes and fourballs on day two finished 3-1 to Europe, with Fleetwood maintaining a 100% record going into Sunday having played four matches and won all four. Hatton also boasted a perfect record with three wins from three, while Rose went two from two.