US demolish Europe to win Ryder Cup
KOHLER, US: The US crushed Europe 19-9 to recapture the Ryder Cup on Sunday in a performance captain Steve Stricker called the “greatest of all time.”
Collin Morikawa, the 24-yearold world No 3, delivered the winning half point when he tied his match with Viktor Hovland at Whistling Straits.
He was one of eight 20-somethings on a US team that featured nine players in the world’s top 11—all gunning to regain the coveted trophy won by Europe in France three years ago. “Speechless,” US captain Steve Stricker said, tearing up as he talked of the commitment that resulted in dominant victory.
The Americans became the first team to notch 19 points, beating the previous record of 18.5 achieved twice by each team before. “This is the greatest team of all time right here,” Stricker said. “These guys are unbelievable. They come with a lot of passion, a lot of energy, a lot of game. They are just so good.”
World No 2 Dustin Johnson, at 37 the oldest member of the team, provided a template for his younger colleagues, his 1-up singles victory over Paul Casey giving him a perfect 5-0 record in a maximum five matches.
They made that clear from the start and took an 11-5 lead into Sunday’s 12 singles matches, the six-point gap more than either team has ever overcome on the final day to lift the trophy. It meant the Americans needed just 3.5 points to win the Cup.
Padraig Harrington’s Europe needed nine to retain it, and it was clear when the US powered to the lead in most of the early matches that they wouldn’t do it.
Scottie Scheffler, a Ryder Cup newcomer with the lowest ranking in the US team at 21 in the world, had opened the floodgates when he took out world No 1 Jon Rahm 4&3.
Rory McIlroy gained the first point of the day with a 3&2 victory over Olympic champion Xander Schauffele.
Patrick Cantlay, the US PGA Tour’s player of the year and FedEx Cup playoff champion, polished off European rookie Shane Lowry 4&2. Bryson DeChambeau followed with a 3&2 victory over Sergio Garcia, the Spanish Ryder Cup great who this week took his tally of match wins to a record 25.
Lowry, the 2019 British Open champion, had taken a 1-up lead over Cantlay with a birdie at the par-5 second, but Cantlay roared away from there. The American won four straight holes for a 3-up lead, and didn’t trail again, winning the last three holes for the convincing score.
Four-time major champion Brooks Koepka rallied for a 2&1 victory over Bernd Wiesberger and Justin Thomas led all the way in a 4&3 victory over Tyrrell Hatton. Veterans Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood delivered singles victories, Poulter beating Tony Finau 3&2 and Westwood edging Harris English 1-up.
Tommy Fleetwood grabbed one more half point for Europe when he rallied from 1-down through 15 to tie Spieth—who has still never won a Ryder Cup singles match in four attempts.