Riding a hot start, Team Europe has won the 2023 Ryder Cup in what will go down as an extremely memorable event for a variety of reasons.
Despite a valiant late round surge from the American side, Europe secured the victory 16.5-11.5 in Rome, overcoming their record setting 19-9 defeat two years prior. Heading into the final day of singles matches, the Europeans held a 10.5-5.5 advantage at Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome.
The US side made things interesting late, after their opponents stalled out a half point shy of the 14.5 point winning threshold. But Tommy Fleetwood of England sealed the victory in his showdown with Rickie Fowler after a clutch tee shot on 16.
Team captain Luke Donald was visibly emotional following the victory when speaking to the press, showing how much the win meant to him and his team.
“It has been stressful. USA put up a fight today, they really did, so hats off to them. But I am so proud of my 12 guys, they formed a bond from day one, they gave me everything.”
“This is why the Ryder Cup is so special to me and the guys. We play for each other, we will share those memories forever.”
The loss extends a run of bad luck for the Americans who have yet to win on European soil since 1993. With the tournament set to return to Adare Manor, Ireland in 2027, the US will see their run of misfortune stretch to at least 34 years before having another chance to avenge their loss.
While the victory will be remembered by the European side as a stoic response to their humiliating loss two years prior, most golf fans will remember this year’s event for what took place between shots more so than anything else.
Reports began circulating early in the tournament that the American locker room was “fractured” due to disputes over tournament pay.
Patrick Cantlay refused to wear an American side hat throughout the event as a form of protest, something which caused ripples throughout the US’s ranks over the course of the event.
Then there was the eventful clash between McIlroy and caddie Joe LaCava which took place on the green and spilled over into the parking lot afterwards.
Yes, for a sport that prides itself on “gentlemanly conduct” there were more than a few chest thumps, clashes, and acts of braggadocious behaviour on display in Italy. In the end, it would be the Europeans who laid claim to the trophy, but the US will look to defend home soil at Bethpage in 2025.
And one can rest assured, the pro-American crowd that will be on hand for the event won’t soon forget what took place across the pond.
-Kyle Skinner
Twitter: @JKyleSkinner
Photo: Scottish Government. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.