Photo courtesy of Jim Epler, Wikipedia
The United States ended its Ryder Cup drought on Sunday after losing the previous three; the U.S. defeated Europe 17-11.
The last time the United States took home the Ryder Cup was in 2008.
28 total points can be distributed in the tournament; 16 foursomes are played on Friday and Saturday, with 12 singles matches being played on Sunday.
The 41st edition of the Ryder Cup started last Friday, with the Americans taking down Europe in all four foursomes of that morning. Europe took home three of the four foursomes in the afternoon, which resulted in the Americans leading 5-3 after the first day.
Europe defeated the United States 2.5-1.5 in Saturday morning foursomes, but Saturday afternoon went in favor of the Americans, after they beat Europe in three of the four foursomes that afternoon.
The United States head into Sunday’s singles matches with a 9.5-6.5 lead.
Just one singles match was halved on Sunday – the incredible bout between Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson. The American Mickelson knocked down 10 birdies on the day while the Spaniard Garcia hit nine.
Overall in singles matches, USA won seven, with Europe winning just four. The clincher was Ryan Moore beating Lee Westwood on the 18th green to give the United States their 15th point of the tournament.
The States was led by Patrick Reed, who earned a team high of 3.5 points – his only loss game on Friday when he and Jordan Spieth lost their matchup to Olympic Gold medalist Justin Rose and British Open champion Henrik Stenson on Friday, whom they beat that morning. They halved with Garcia and Rafael Cabrera-Bello.
While everyone on the USA team got at least one point, four members of Team Europe did not earn any, including Masters champion Danny Willett.
“It was great to see the U.S. take home the Ryder Cup, and on our own home turf no less,” said Ramapo senior Scott Thompson. “The Ryder Cup is the one time, outside of the Olympics now, where you represent your country [for golf]. There’s nothing better than that, especially when it comes to team golf – we never see team golf. So to put a team on your back like Phil did, to represent the country. I was hooked the whole weekend.”
Top performers from Europe include Thomas Pieters, who was the first European to earn four points, while Rory McIlroy earned three of his own.
Americans Brandt Snedeker and Brooks Koepka each earnd three points themselves.
The next Ryder Cup, the 42nd, will be held in 2018 at Le Golf National, Albotros Course in France.
rmorik@ramapo.edu
