LOWRY CREATES MORE RYDER CUP MAGIC FOR IRELAND
Shane Lowry after holing the putt that retained the Ryder Cup for Europe at Bethpage Black in New York. (Getty/Ryder Cup)
Bethpage Black will live long in the memory for the high drama and edge of seat action, and for Shane Lowry it was a week that could compare to his Open success of 2019 after the Offaly man’s heroics helped Europe retain the Ryder Cup before going on to win the famous team event.
With Europe holding a record seven-point lead, the visitors were on course for a procession, but they were given a real fright as the United States threatened an unthinkable comeback victory.
As Keegan Bradley’s men won four-and-a-half points from the opening six matches, the pressure was heaped onto the visitors, but up stepped Lowry.
With Europe without a lead in the four matches left on the course, and requiring a half point to ensure victory, the result in the overall contest was firmly in the balance.
Lowry was trailing one down on the last against American Russell Henley and hit a brilliant shot from a fairway bunker to ten feet but left his birdie putt short, and Lowry showed immense resolve to hole from seven feet to send his Continent – including many of his team-mates watching on - into delirium.
"I mean, I've been so lucky to experience amazing things in this game," said Lowry, who celebrated his decisive putt with unbridled joy before bursting into tears. "That was the hardest couple of hours of my whole life, honestly. I just can't believe that putt went in."
Of the 11 singles matches, with Viktor Hovland unable to play due to injury meaning his match with Harris English was deemed a half, Lowry's was one of eight that went to the final hole as he birdied three of the last four holes.
Clearly exhausted at the end of an emotionally draining three days, during which Europe had played in a hostile atmosphere, Lowry revealed he told his caddie "I have a chance to do the coolest thing in my life here" while walking up the 18th.
"The Ryder Cup means everything to me," he added. "Honestly, I've won The Open in Ireland; it's amazing, it's a dream come true. But the Ryder Cup for me is everything.
"To do that there today on the 18th green in front of everyone... it was so hard out there. I mean, fair play to the US lads; we knew they were going to come out fighting.
With Rasmus Højgaard beaten by fellow rookie Ben Griffin, it was left to either Tyrrell Hatton or Robert MacIntyre to secure the half point that ensured just a fifth European win on the road and first since Medinah in 2012.
WINNING FORMULA
Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald surrounded by his winning European team at Bethpage Black (Photo: Getty/Ryder Cup)
And it was Hatton - who will look back on this Ryder Cup with great individual memories after winning three and a half points from four matches - who ensured Luke Donald became just the second European captain after Tony Jacklin in 1985 and 1987 to win a home and away Ryder Cup. Europe eventually won 15-13.
Lowry, who was playing in his third Ryder Cup after defeat Whistling Straits in 2021 and victory in Rome in 2023, added of Donald: "He's the greatest captain I think that's ever lived. He's the most amazing man in the world. Honestly, he's done the best job."
Joining other players from the island of Ireland who have produced Ryder Cup heroics, after Paul McGinley at The Belfry in 2002, Darren Clarke at The K Club in 2006 and Graeme McDowell in 2010 at Celtic Manor, Lowry was proud to follow in their footsteps.
"You think back to the Irish greats in the game, they have all holed putts to win the Ryder Cup and I got my moment today," he said.