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Europe holds off late U.S. comeback to reclaim Ryder Cup

October 03, 2023 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

October 3, 2023

SUB 60 HEADLINES

European captain Luke Donald lifts the Ryder Cup trophy after a 16.5 - 11.5 victory at Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome, Italy. (Richard Heathcote / Getty Images)

In a stunning display of skill, tension-filled dominance, and timely clutch shots, the European men emerged victorious on Sunday at the 2023 Ryder Cup. Luke Donald’s team started fast on Friday and (almost) never looked back on their way to victory. The Americans, however, provided a late Sunday scare in singles matches — by winning (or splitting) 7 of the first 10. However, in the 11th match, Tommy Fleetwood defeated Rickie Fowler and the cup ultimately belonged to Europe.

"They made my life very easy and they played like superstars. Not many people gave us a chance, I don't think, especially two years ago. Yeah, well, we proved them wrong."

Luke Donald / European Ryder Cup Captain

In the end, the early deficit on Friday proved too much for the Americans to overcome. The final 5-point margin of victory is the smallest margin of victory since 2014, when Europe won by the same score, 16.5-11.5.

Of note, the average margin of victory in the Ryder Cup modern era (1979-present) is 4.1 points, while the previous 3 Ryder Cups (2021, 2018, 2016) were decided by 10, 7, and 6 points, respectively.

THE CONCESSION

Match 11 on Sunday between Fleetwood and Fowler provided the final winning points for Team Europe. The win, though, came with a head-scratching concession from Fowler — allowing Europe to claim the cup without actually making a match-winning putt. Read more here to find out how it happened.

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CAN THE AWAY TEAM WIN?

Of the 44 times the Ryder Cup has been contested, the away team has only won 14 times (32%). Since 1997, it’s only been done twice (2004, 2012).

Team USA will have to wait four more years until 2027 for their next chance to play road spoilers (at Adare Manor in Ireland). Meanwhile, Team Europe looks ahead to 2025 where they hope to buck the trend and win on American soil. According to Rory McIlroy, they plan on doing just that.

WINNERS FROM LAST WEEK

Click the link(s) below to view full standings:

OFFICIAL WORLD GOLF RANKINGS: TOP 60

Arrows indicate top movers in this week’s OWGR

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