Report: USA beat Europe 17-11 to claim Ryder Cup
The USA got their hands on the Ryder Cup for the first time since 2008 as they comfortably beat Europe 17-11 at Hazeltine.
Wildcard Ryan Moore secured the winning point – recovering from two down to beat Lee Westwood on the final hole – as American captain Davis Love III erased the painful memories of defeat on home soil in 2012.
European captain Darren Clarke front-loaded his singles order in a bid to make immediate inroads into the three point deficit his team faced going into the final 12 matches.
When Rory McIlroy was beaten 1up by Patrick Reed in the opening game, though, there seemed little chance of a repeat of the Miracle of Medinah.
Clarke had some success in those early games – Henrik Stenson (3&2) proving too much for the wayward Jordan Spieth and Thomas Pieters, a revelation on his Ryder Cup debut, recovering from losing the first two holes to beat JB Holmes 3&2.
Europe managed to get within a point when Rafa Cabrera-Bello accounted for Jimmy Walker 3&2.
That was as good as it got. Rickie Fowler beat Justin Rose 1 up and Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia shared a half point following a spectacular encounter.
But as those results were confirmed, there was also sea of red at the bottom of the order as Clarke’s earlier tactics with some of his side were brought into question.
Five of the team went into the singles without a point to their name and only Martin Kaymer, a 1 up winner over Matt Kuchar, managed a victory.
Danny Willett was hammered 5&4 by Brooks Koepka, Brandt Snedeker accounted for Andy Sullivan (3&1) and Zach Johnson beat Matt Fitzpatrick 4&3 as Westwood also went down.
Dustin Johnson beat Chris Wood 1 up as the Americans rounded off a wonderful day in Minnesota.
As the European inquest now begins, the USA can bask in winning the Ryder Cup for the first time since Valhalla eight years ago and their biggest victory since Walton Heath in 1981.
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
