Dramatic end at the Ryder Cup
“That was the hardest minutes of my life”
29.09.2025 – 01:57 a.m.Reading time: 3 min.
For the first time since 2012, Europe was getting the Ryder Cup away – and despite the huge advantage on the closing day, almost experiencing a historical debacle.
Europe’s golfers briefly defended the title in the Ryder Cup and won again for the first time since 2012. Despite a seven-point advantage before the first discount, the decision was made when the Irishman Shane Lowry sank his putt. “I can’t believe that the putt is in. The Ryder Cup means everything to me,” he said. Europe won the prestigious title at the end of 15:13. The United States narrowly missed the biggest comeback in the history of the competition.
In the Bethpage State Park on Long Island, Lowry brought the necessary 14 points to defend the title with a draw against Russell Henley Europe. Europe’s comfortable lead over the first discount had been stolen until then, contrary to the expectations, there was great excitement and hope at the many home fans at the gates of New York.
“These were the hardest minutes of my life,” said a relieved Lowry in tears: “I can’t believe that this ball went in. The Ryder Cup means everything. A dream becomes true.” Team captain Luke Donald spoke of the “stressful twelve hours of my life”. And he emphasized: “That means to me and the team so much.”
The Europeans had gone to the decisive Sunday with a calming 11.5: 4.5 lead. “I wouldn’t have expected such a big lead,” Donald said before the closing day. Because the battered Swede Victor Hoffland could not compete on Sunday, its match was rated 0.5: 0.5 in accordance with the rules.
But then only a little went according to plan for Team Europe. The Swede Ludvig Aberg was the only European to win his single on the end, and Patrick Cantlay defeated him after 17 lanes. Lowry as well as Matt Fitzpatrick, Robert Macintyre and Tyrelll Hatton (all England) then got half a point through a draw – the other Europeans lost their duels and let the opponent get dangerously. “It was hard,” said Aberg. “It got louder and you could feel the surroundings.”