Farmingdale (United States) (AFP) – A furious United States singles rally Sunday was not enough to overtake Europe in the Ryder Cup, but it allowed the Americans a measure of pride after a woeful start. Europe’s 15-13 triumph at Bethpage Black came despite winning only one singles match with four ties and a half-point off an injury, while the Americans matched a record with 8.5 points in singles. Europe’s record domination in foursomes and four-balls, where they amassed a record 11.5-4.5 lead, had the Americans on the ropes after two days before Sunday’s stunning reversal.
“I think everybody was surprised how good of a scare we gave the Europeans today,” top-ranked Scottie Scheffler said. “After the butt-whooping we got the first two days, to come back today and play like we did I think really shows a lot of heart.” Scheffler, the first US player to go 0-4 in pairs play, avoided becoming the first American to go 0-5 in a Ryder Cup with a 1-up victory over Rory McIlroy in the feature singles match.
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“To have the trust of my captains and teammates to go out there and play all four matches and lose all four, it’s really hard to put into words how much that stings and hurts,” Scheffler said. “I can’t tell you how much I needed these guys this week, and it’s just a really special group.” Scheffler has won six times this year, including the British Open and PGA Championship as well as a tuneup event earlier this month. With a typical calm manner on the course, Scheffler loosened up, if only slightly, in the team atmosphere.
“It was probably one of the lowest moments of my career,” Scheffler said of the 0-4 start. “But it turned out to be one of the most special just because I’ve got great friends in this room and I was really proud to be battling with these guys for three days. I was just proud to be able to get a point up on the board.” More was expected of Scheffler and his teammates, who saved their best results for last, but he noted Europe delivered an impressive performance in team play as US putts missed time and again.
“They had a tremendous first two days. I mean, the amount of putts I saw go in, they played amazing golf the first two days,” Scheffler said. “And that’s why they’re the winners.” Bryson DeChambeau rallied from 5-down after seven holes to tie Matt Fitzpatrick. “I fought my ass off for this team,” he said. “We’re not quitters. We’re not people that go down easy.”
US captain Keegan Bradley was gushing over the team fightback. “What they did is close to a miracle,” Bradley said of his players. “They showed the world that really anything is possible.”
Eight matches went to the 18th hole and the Americans won four of them 1-up and tied the other with clutch putting. “What a wild ride. What a fun day,” Bradley said. “The boys really fought. That was incredible. These guys are really an incredible group. We were this close to doing this. To watch it up close was special.” Bradley said even after the record two-day deficit, his players were confident they could make the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history.
“The team really believed they could win,” Bradley said. “I could see the belief in their eyes. I could see their body language. They weren’t moping around. They were ready to go out and win.”
© 2024 AFP
