LAST UPDATE | 30 Sep 2018
EUROPE HAVE REGAINED the Ryder Cup on a thrilling Sunday at Le Golf National.
After taking a 10-6 overnight lead into today’s singles matches, Thomas Bjorn’s team reached the magic 14.5 points tally required to overcome USA with four matches remaining.
By the end of play in Paris, the home side had romped to a seven-point victory on a final score of 17.5 to 10.5.
Francesco Molinari nudged Europe over the line against the holders when Phil Mickelson conceded on the 16th to confirm a 4&2 win for the Italian, as the hosts went into an unassailable lead.
Molinari’s victory was followed by a 5&4 triumph for Henrik Stenson at the expense of Bubba Watson. Sergio Garcia was then a 2&1 victor against Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed closed out a 3&2 win for USA against Tyrrell Hatton, before Alex Noren brought the 2018 Ryder Cup to a spectacular conclusion by holing a huge putt on the 18th to beat Bryson DeChambeau.
#TEAMEUROPE HAVE WON THE RYDER CUP BACK!!!!! pic.twitter.com/7Pgo7CrxFp
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 30, 2018
Nevertheless, it was Jim Furyk’s team who drew first blood today. In the opening match, Rory McIlroy conceded on the fairway as the visitors began their fightback. After a throughly intriguing duel, McIlroy and Justin Thomas were all-square on the 18th tee.
Things then went awry for McIlroy. On the final hole, he went from tee to bunker, where he remained after a failed attempt to recover. When he got out, his ball ended up in the water.
The 29-year-old from Co. Down found the green with his fifth shot, but with Thomas — who had at least three putts to win — just six feet from the hole, McIlroy shook his hand as USA reduced the deficit.
An encouraging start for the holders saw Thomas become the first American since Corey Pavin in 1995 to win four points in a Ryder Cup. The team that won the first match on a Sunday had gone on to win seven of the previous nine Ryder Cups.
Paul Casey and Brooks Koepka halved their match, before Webb Simpson and Tony Finau recorded 3&2 and 6&4 wins for USA against Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood respectively, which cut Europe’s lead to a single point.
But Thomas Bjorn’s team gave themselves some breathing room thanks to victories over two American heavyweights. Jordan Spieth lost 5&4 to Thorbjørn Olesen, before Jon Rahm defeated Tiger Woods 2&1.
Ian Poulter then saw off Dustin Johnson with two holes remaining to leave Europe on the brink, before Molinari sealed the deal.
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