The silence at Bethpage Black was weird. Usually, New York crowds are loud enough to rattle a cage, but by the time the final scores for the Ryder Cup today results were etched into the books, the home fans were basically just staring at their shoes. Europe won. Again. They didn't just win; they held off a furious, desperate American charge that almost—almost—resulted in the greatest comeback in the history of the sport.
The final score was 15-13 in favor of Team Europe.
Honestly, if you only saw the Sunday singles scoreboard, you’d think the U.S. dominated. They did. Keegan Bradley’s squad won five of the first seven matches. They were hunting. But you can't spot a team like Luke Donald's an 11.5 to 4.5 lead going into the final day and expect to survive. Europe had done the "impossible" work on Friday and Saturday, sweeping all four sessions for the first time on American soil since 1979. That cushion was the only reason they left Long Island with the trophy.
Why the Sunday Singles Results Almost Flipped the Script
The morning started with a strange twist. Viktor Hovland had to withdraw because of a neck injury. Because of the way the rules work, his match against Harris English was immediately declared a half-point for both sides. The Americans were gifted a spark before a ball was even teed up.
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Then came the "Big Three" for the U.S.
Scottie Scheffler finally looked like the world number one. He took down Rory McIlroy in a 1-up thriller that had both guys trading haymakers. It was high-level golf, the kind that makes you forget about the lopsided score for a second. Justin Thomas—the emotional heartbeat of this team despite his recent struggles—gutted out a 1-up win over Tommy Fleetwood. When Cameron Young rolled in a 12-footer on the 18th to beat Justin Rose, the Bethpage crowd actually started to believe.
But then the middle of the European lineup just... stopped the bleeding.
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The Men Who Saved the Cup for Europe
- Ludvig Åberg: The kid is a machine. He didn't care about the noise. He took down Patrick Cantlay 2&1, playing the kind of boring, perfect golf that breaks an opponent's spirit.
- Shane Lowry: This was the moment. Lowry was playing Russell Henley. If Henley wins, the door stays wide open. Lowry birdied the 18th hole to tie the match. That half-point officially ensured Europe would retain the Cup. He didn't even win the match outright, but that tie was everything.
- Tyrrell Hatton: He was the closer. In a gritty match against Collin Morikawa, Hatton stuffed an approach shot into the 18th green to secure the tie and the full 15th point.
The Bethpage Fallout: What Most People Get Wrong
People are going to blame Keegan Bradley’s captaincy or some "lack of chemistry," but that’s mostly talk. The reality is that Europe’s "Fleetwood Mac" (McIlroy and Fleetwood) pairing destroyed the U.S. foundation early on. The Americans lost because they couldn't putt on Friday morning. It's that simple. You can't play catch-up against guys like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton when they’re already three holes up before you've finished your coffee.
Luke Donald becomes only the second European captain to win both home and away, joining the legendary Tony Jacklin. That’s a massive legacy play. He trusted his veterans, and even when the U.S. was pouring it on during the singles, his "spine" of Åberg and Lowry held firm.
Key Match Results from the Final Day
- Match 1: Sam Burns vs. Robert MacIntyre (Tied)
- Match 2: Justin Thomas def. Tommy Fleetwood (1 up)
- Match 3: Scottie Scheffler def. Rory McIlroy (1 up)
- Match 4: Cameron Young def. Justin Rose (1 up)
- Match 5: Ludvig Åberg def. Patrick Cantlay (2&1)
- Match 6: Shane Lowry vs. Russell Henley (Tied - Cup Retained)
- Match 7: Tyrrell Hatton vs. Collin Morikawa (Tied - Cup Won)
What Happens Next for Team USA?
The U.S. hasn't won a Ryder Cup on foreign soil since 1993, and now they've lost at home. That's going to lead to some soul-searching. The "Bethpage Black" advantage was supposed to be the equalizer, but the European team’s preparation was just superior. They adjusted to the thick rough faster and seemed to embrace the villain role in New York.
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If you’re looking for a silver lining, it’s Ben Griffin and J.J. Spaun. Both rookies showed they belong in this environment. They didn't shrink. But moving toward Adare Manor in 2027, the U.S. has to figure out why they keep starting so slowly. You can't win a three-day sprint if you're still in the blocks on Saturday afternoon.
Check your local golf club's pro shop for the "official" recap DVDs if you want to see the Lowry putt again, but honestly, the highlights on YouTube tell the story: Europe was just tougher when it mattered.
If you're planning your own trip to a major course after watching that, start working on your long irons. Bethpage chewed up the best in the world, and most of us wouldn't break 100 there on a good day.