Thomas Bjorn's men stay strong to win The Ryder Cup back for Europe
Europe Regain Ryder Cup After Holding Off US Fightback
The Ryder Cup is back in European hands after Thomas Bjorn‘s side survived a late afternoon rally from the Americans to come out on top in Paris, with Francesco Molinari claiming the winning point.
The damage was done for the US over the first two days, when they struggled to find fairways, handing hole after hole to the Europeans – and Bjorn’s men were able to hold-off a spirited final-day fightback.
Molinari defeated a hapless Phil Mickelson 4&2 to win the Ryder Cup and spark jubilant celebrations, a result that also gave him five points from five matches – an incredible end to the season for the Open champion.
Friday afternoon’s clean sweep was Europe’s first ever in foursomes, and it stunned the visiting team as Europe took a 5-3 lead. That advantage was stretched on Saturday as some inspired partnerships, most notably Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood, kept the US under the pump.
Heading into Sunday, Europe led 10-6, and it wasn’t long before the board started turning blue, one of the few exceptions being Fleetwood, who fell five down to Tony Finau at the turn, and looked tired after his heroics over the first two days.
But as the top match reached a tense finale and Brooks Koepka took control against Ian Poulter, Bjorn started to look concerned.
That worry intensified not long later when Rory McIlroy, heading down the final hole all square with Justin Thomas, found the bunker with his tee shot and water with his second when trying to lay up. A handshake followed and gave the US the first singles point, which closed the gap to 10-7.
Justin Thomas was up for the fight in his tense match with Rory McIlroy [Getty Images]
However, the fist-pumps, missing from the first two days, were short-lived when the Spaniard reestablished a two-hole advantage when Woods missed from close range for a bogey-six at the par-5 14th.
One minute the American comeback was on, the next it was scuppered, with Casey earning a huge half in match two, narrowly missing a putt for the win in what was becoming a louder 18th with every minute.
Paul Casey’s half came at just the right time as America began to rally [Getty Images]
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Elsewhere, rookie Thorbjørn Olesen, one of only two players not to secure a point for Europe heading into the singles, was busy disposing of three-time Major winner, Jordan Spieth, surging into a four-hole lead after just eight holes.
Up ahead, though, Justin Rose went down 3&2 to an impressive Webb Simpson, and Finau denied Fleetwood five wins from five when he finished their match on the 14th for a comprehensive 6&4 victory.
It brought the US side to within half a point, and all eyes turned to the later matches, many of which were nip-and-tuck affairs.
Bjorn needn’t have worried with Ian Poulter starting to take control of world number one, Dustin Johnson, who, after splitting the fairway, dunked his approach into the water to gift the hole to the Englishman.
When Olesen wrapped up a fine 5&4 win over world number ten Spieth, and Rahm saw off Woods with a timely birdie on the difficult 17th for a 2&1 win, the game was virtually up for the US.
However, this being The Ryder Cup, Johnson atoned for his mess on 15 with a 50-footer for birdie on the 16th, forcing Poulter to regroup. It only delayed the celebrations, especially with Sergio Garcia, Francesco Molinari and Henrik Stenson all on top in their matches.
Predictably, Poulter held his nerve for a 2UP win, shortly before, somewhat fittingly, Molinari claimed the point that regained the Ryder Cup for Europe.
More to follow
This article Europe Regain Ryder Cup After Holding Off US Fightback appeared first on Golf Monthly.