Team Europe withstood a dramatic American fightback on Sunday to claim the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, winning 15–13 after Tyrrell Hatton halved his match with Collin Morikawa to provide the decisive half-point to win The Ryder Cup.
Hatton’s Half-Point and Lowry’s Nerve Finish the Job
Shane Lowry’s crucial work earlier on the 18th, a six-foot birdie that ensured Europe would at least retain the trophy, set the stage for the decisive moments that followed. Hatton’s half against Morikawa pushed Europe past the 14½ threshold required for an outright win; a scheduled match between Viktor Hovland and Harris English had been ruled a tie after Hovland withdrew with a neck injury, each side awarded a half-point.
Sunday Saw a Relentless U.S. Charge
The United States produced one of the most dramatic Sunday displays in recent Ryder Cup history, winning multiple early singles and mounting a genuine comeback that rattled the European camp. Last-hole victories and streaks of consecutive U.S. points narrowed the gap, but Europe’s cushion from the first two days (they had led 11½–4½ going into the final day) proved ultimately insurmountable. The final push produced memorable individual performances but fell short of overturning Europe’s advantage.
Match-by-Match Highlights and Turning Points
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Early drama: The U.S. opened Sunday strongly, taking multiple early points that reduced Europe’s cushion and created real tension on the leaderboard
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Lowry’s crucial moment: Lowry’s 18th-hole birdie to halve his match was a turning point for Europe — a half-point that materially eased the pressure on the rest of the team.
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Hatton’s clincher: Hatton’s steady play and the half-point against Morikawa effectively sealed the Cup for Europe.
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Hovland’s withdrawal: Viktor Hovland’s neck issue, a flare of a bulging disc that forced him to pull out of his singles match, affected the match schedule and handed each side a half-point. Team Europe’s medical staff confirmed the diagnosis, and Hovland expressed disappointment at being unable to play.
Tactics and Team Makeup
Europe’s captain Luke Donald drew widespread praise for the combinations and pairings that produced an overwhelming two-day advantage in the team sessions. Donald kept faith with core performers and his tactical choices in foursomes and four-balls laid the platform for Sunday’s single-point requirement. That early bank of points, winning control in all four team sessions over Friday and Saturday, proved decisive.
Crowd Controversy
A major storyline of the week was the conduct of portions of the home crowd. European players, most notably Rory McIlroy, were subjected to taunts and heckling that prompted public criticism from captain Luke Donald, who said fans had “crossed the line.”
U.S. vice-captain Keegan Bradley defended supporters as “passionate,” but organisers did increase security and issue reminders about spectator behaviour after several incidents. The tension between a boisterous home gallery and visiting players was a recurring subplot throughout the event.
Reactions: Players, Captains and Pundits
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Luke Donald: Praised his players’ resilience under pressure and said he was proud of how they handled a hostile environment en route to a historic result for his team.
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Tyrrell Hatton: Celebrated the moment with teammates and reflected on the chaos of the week, noting the special nature of the Ryder Cup and the relief of clinching victory.
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U.S. camp: While acknowledging the bravery of their singles fightback, the Americans admitted the deficit they faced after the first two days was too large. Captain Keegan Bradley defended the passion of U.S. supporters even as questions were asked about boundary-crossing behaviour.
