Shane Lowry secured Team Europe’s historic Ryder Cup title defense in New York after worrying victory was out of reach during a difficult Sunday.
Luke Donald’s side recorded a thrilling 15-13 win at Bethpage Black, marking the first away win for both teams since the ‘Miracle of Medina’ in 2012 in their biennial home match.
A dominant performance over the first two days by the European side gave them a record seven-point advantage ahead of the final singles, and they need just 2.5 points more to retain the trophy after picking up a half-point after Viktor Hovland was ruled out through injury.
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Highlights from Saturday’s four-ball session at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage. Europe dominates Team USA and builds record lead
The prospect of Europe winning by a historic margin turned into a fight to close out the win after a stunning comeback from Team USA, and Lowry noticed a shift in momentum as he took on Russell Henley in the eighth game of that special Sunday.
“I remember going down the hill on the 6th hole. There was a big scoreboard on the left next to the 7th hole and I could see it was all blue.” Recall from Sky Sports. “I said to Darren (Reynolds, his caddy), ‘Look at that scoreboard, it’s really cool.’
“Then I play No. 7, No. 8, No. 9 and I get on the 9th green and Russell (Henry) hits it really close. I’ve got a 30-footer and I look at the scoreboard and it looks terrible! I think, ‘Oh my God, where can I get 2.5 points?’
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Highlights from the final day of the Ryder Cup in Bethpage as Europe held on for the trophy.
Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood both suffered last-hole losses in their top two matches, Matt Fitzpatrick squandered a five-hole lead over Bryson DeChambeau, and Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm also lost as Team USA prepared for a thrilling finish.
“Fitzy (Matt Fitzpatrick) was still in this fight and I’m hoping Fitzy will do that,” Lowry said. “Rosie (Justin Rose) brought his fight back to All Square. Tommy (Fleetwood) probably could have at one stage, but he was about eight games in at All Square and didn’t look that great.”
Ludvig Åberg beat Patrick Cantlay to achieve Europe’s first and only later perfect score, but Europe still fell short of the required target as Lowry handled the final few holes.
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Take a look at the best moments from the final day of the Ryder Cup, where Team USA staged an impressive comeback before falling 15-13.
“Russell was second with 13 and 14 wins and by then I was holding on for dear life,” Lowry added. “I was looking at the board wondering who was going to do it.
“You’re thinking, ‘Sure we’ll get two and a half points’ but you’re still just focused on your own game. And when I was down two points I told Darren on the 15th that we should try to get him out on the 18th.
“A lot of times when you’re down 2 and 4, you almost give up because it’s tough. You’re not trying to win every hole, but if you can win one of the next three holes and get him down to 18, you never know what’s going to happen there.
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Watch the historic moment Europe won the Ryder Cup outright on American soil and how Luke Donald reacted to the victory.
“I played the last four holes incredibly well!”
How Lowry delivered a Ryder Cup upset
Lowry won the 15th hole and capitalized on Henry’s missed birdie opportunity on the 17th to tie the hole, then nailed an 8-foot birdie on the final par-4 to give Europe the half-point needed to retain the trophy.
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Shane Lowry was emotional in an interview shortly after securing the half-point he needed for Europe.
“It’s funny because I just go into autopilot,” Lowry said of his finish. “I was aiming for the center of the green on the 15th hole and I pushed my second shot and hit it hard. Then on my next shot I stood up and hit my perfect 8-iron again.
“I’m standing on the tee at number 17. There’s a 178 on the left, which is the perfect 8-iron number for me. And I’m thinking, ‘Here we go!’ I’m licking my ribs and I hit one of the worst shots I’ve hit all week! What a bad time to be doing that!
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Shane Lowry recorded a hole-in-one on three of the world’s most iconic par-3 holes and cemented himself in Ryder Cup legend by delivering a defining moment in New York.
“Then Russell hit it close and I thought I was probably going to lose the game there. As I walked up to the 17, I walked around the bunker and back to the bar and all the boys were coming back – Justin Rose, Rory and Fitge – behind me there were a few lads coming down to watch the game.
“Rosie said to me, ‘Get him down at the end.’ That put the focus back on me. Then I two-putted unbelievably and he missed his putt. When you get down to the last, you just try to make birdie and hope he doesn’t birdie!”
Lowry’s putt sparked wild celebrations around the 18th green, with the Irishman shedding tears of joy and receiving big hugs from his caddy, several of Donald’s players and backroom staff.
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There were emotional scenes at Bethpage Black when Shane Lowry secured a vital half point to retain the Ryder Cup.
The 38-year-old’s success came in his third Ryder Cup appearance, adding to his career a win at The Open at Royal Portrush in 2019. Lowry is debating whether winning a European team title would mean more to him than winning his first major.
“I’ve thought a lot about it (what’s bigger) since then,” Lowry explained. “I think about it every day when I wake up. To be honest, it’s not a joke, but I’ve thought a lot about which is better.
Shane Lowry secured a half-point to help the European side retain the trophy.
“It’s hard to separate the two. It’s hard to talk about them in the same sentence, but considering the way it all went and how much effort I put into it, I think it was the coolest thing I’ve ever done.
“Imagine all the Irish players who have done that – Christy O’Connor Jnr, Eamon Darcy, Philip Walton, Paul McGinley, Graeme McDowell – it gives me goosebumps to think about. I couldn’t believe it.”
Watch new documentary ‘McIlroy ’25: A Career Year’ looking back at his historic 2025 and a special new Ryder Cup documentary on Sky Sports Golf this Christmas. Get Sky Sports or Stream contract-free on NOW.
