ROME — Europe was forced to sweat it out for a few hours Sunday, but in the end the huge lead it built through the first two days of the 44th Ryder Cup was too much the for the U.S. to overcome in the Sunday singles.
The Europeans clinched victory when Rickie Fowler hit his tee shot into the water on No. 16, a short drivable par-4, and Tommy Fleetwood stuffed his tee shot onto the green.
At the time, Europe, already with 14 points, needed only a half-point.
Fleetwood was 23 feet away for eagle and two-putted for birdie to clinch the Ryder Cup.
Fowler conceded the two-foot, eight-inch birdie putt to Fleetwood.
That put Fleetwood 2-up with two holes to play and assured at least a half point on his match to give Europe the 14 ½ points required to win.
For Europe, it was the fifth win in the past seven Ryder Cups and eighth in the past 12.
For the U.S., it was the seventh consecutive loss on European soil, a drought that spans 30 years.
That will now extend to 34 years to the next Ryder Cup in Europe, in 2027 in Ireland.
“Since I got this job 14 months ago, this is something I always dreamed about,’’ European captain Luke Donald said through tears. “It was an honor and privilege to captain these 12 incredible guys. They played their hearts out. It’s been a weight of emotions, asking myself if I can do this. Just proud, proud, proud moment.’’
Donald was a replacement captain for Henrik Stenson, who was stripped of his duties when he joined the LIV Golf tour.
Donald was 10-4-1 as a player and never played on a losing team.
Now, he’s never captained one.