NEW YORK — The dust had barely settled on Europe’s Ryder golf Cup victory over the United States before Rory McIlroy set his sights on New York and winning the 2025 edition in hostile territory.
After suffering a chastening 19-9 defeat at Whistling Straits two years ago, Europe restored their pride with a 16-1/2 to 11-1/2 win at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, leaving the US without a win on European soil since 1993.
Europe’s defeat in 2021 left McIlroy in tears and the Northern Irishman shed more, though this time for happier reasons. And he predicted more joy for Europe at Bethpage Black in two years’ time.
“So I’ve said this for the last probably six or seven years to anyone that will listen,” McIlroy said according to Reuters. “I think one of the biggest accomplishments in golf right now is winning an away Ryder Cup.
“And that’s what we’re going to do at Bethpage.”
Europe last won the event in the United States in 2012 when they emerged with a 14-1/2 to 13-1/2 win in Illinois, a victory dubbed the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ after they fought back from a 10-4 deficit.
McIlroy paid tribute to the young guns in Europe’s team and said they had a bright future in the biennial team competition.
“I know I don’t have that many left,” the 34-year-old said.
“To see guys like Ludvig (Aberg) come in here and be an absolute stud and take everything in stride, I wish I was in his position again, looking forward to playing in 15 or 20 Ryder Cups or whatever it is he’s going to play in.
“But all the rookies that came in this year, everything, they have been absolutely amazing, and I’m just so proud to be a part of this team. It is, it’s very, very meaningful.”
Captain Luke Donald said they would take the fight to the Americans in 2025.
“Not many people gave us a chance after Whistling Straits. We were big underdogs. We started to show some form in the last six months, and I couldn’t be happier with the team I got,” Donald said.
“I think these guys will be around for a long time, and we’re going to put up a great fight in two years’ time.”
Europe now has seven straight wins at home dating to 1993. This one wasn’t even particularly close, from the opening session, which Europe swept for the first time in history, to the singles that led to a 16 1/2-11 1/2 victory.
McIlroy, in tears two years ago after his shabby performance, was among Europe’s top players who quickly doused any American dreams of a rally. He beat Sam Burns to go 4-1 for the week, the first time he was Europe’s top scorer in his seventh appearance.
“I was so disappointed after Whistling Straits – we all were,” McIlroy said. “And we wanted to come here to Rome and redeem ourselves.”
Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton also picked up key points early in the singles lineup, leaving Europe needing only a half-point to reaching the winning total. Tommy Fleetwood delivered the clincher, hitting a signature shot on the signature hole at Marco Simone – a drive to 25 feet on the reachable 16th against Rickie Fowler.
Fowler, now with a 1-8-5 road record in the Ryder Cup, hit into the water and wound up conceding the birdie to Fleetwood, who raised both arms to the loudest cheer of the week.
“I really didn´t want to come down to one of us at the back,” said Fleetwood, in the 11th spot in the lineup. “Just so happened to play a part – it was a bit bigger than I thought I was going to have when we saw the draw. But just so proud of being part of this team.”
The Americans were confident, mainly based on their 19-9 victory in Wisconsin two years ago, that they finally would win on European soil for the first time in 30 years.
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