Europe clinch dramatic win

Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines – Europe’s golfers recaptured the Ryder Cup yeaterday, holding off a dramatic United States fightback to complete an upset victory with Italy’s Francesco Molinari (below) clinching the outcome.

Reigning British Open champion Molinari defeated five-time Major winner Phil Mickelson 4 and 2 to give Europe an insurmountable 141/2-91/2 lead over the favoured Americans.

In the process, Molinari became the first European and only the fourth player ever to go 5-for-5 in a Ryder Cup.

In the final singles match, Alex Noren beat Bryson DeChambeau 2-up for a final score of 171/2-101/2.

Europe had seized a 10-6 edge in Saturday’s foursomes and fourballs matches and needed only 41/2 points from the day’s 12 singles matches to win the trophy.

The US team needed to match the greatest last-day comebacks by taking eight singles points, but there was no French magic.

The Americans lead the alltime rivalry 26-14 with two drawn but the Europeans’ ninth victory in the past 12 attempts gave them an 11-8 with one drawn edge since expansion from a British-Irish squad after 1977.

Americans pulled within 101/291/2 before Europe’s first singles victory came from Danish rookie Thorbjorn Olesen, who beat Jordan Spieth 5 and 4.

Spain’s Jon Rahm followed by downing Tiger Woods 2 and 1.

England’s Ian Poulter birdied the 18th hole to beat world No 1 Dustin Johnson 2-up and put Europe on the brink of victory.

That set the stage for Molinari to clinch the win after Mickelson found water at 16 and conceded.

Spain’s Sergio Garcia, last year’s Masters champion, then beat Rickie Fowler 2 and 1.

Rory McIlroy collapsed on the 18th and lost 1-up to rookie Justin Thomas in the first match. Thirdranked Brooks Koepka halved with England’s Paul Casey.

Webb Simpson followed with an eight-foot birdie putt to beat Justin Rose 3 and 2 and US rookie Tony Finau routed England’s Tommy Fleetwood 6 and 4. –