Despite having home soil and the world’s best player, the United States failed to capture the Ryder Cup once again.
After trailing 11.5 to 4.5 through the first two days of the tournament, the Americans launched a comeback on Sunday. However, it fell short. The Europeans won, 15-13. It’s just the fifth time they’ve won the Ryder Cup at an American club and the first since 2012.
The United States has now lost three of the past four Ryder Cups. Here are takeaways from another American disappointment at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York:
Shane Lowry delivered in the clutch
American Russell Henley led his match against Lowry entering the 18th hole, but he failed to deliver when it mattered most. The American’s final putt fell inches short of the hole.
The Irishman then capitalized. Lowry sank a short putt, securing the 14th point, which the Europeans needed to retain the cup. He was clearly pumped as he started waving his arms and jumping up and down after he made the shot.
“I mean, I’ve been so lucky to experience amazing things in this game,” Lowry said of the putt, per ESPN’s Mark Schlabach. “That was the hardest couple of hours of my life. Honestly. I just can’t believe it. I can’t believe that ball went in. I stood over it going, ‘This is it.'”
Why did it take Scottie Scheffler so long to play like the world’s No. 1 player?
Scheffler has won four major championships, including the Masters twice. Still, he has continually underperformed at the Ryder Cup. He went 0-2-2 without a single victory at the 2023 Ryder Cup.
Those struggles carried over into the 2025 Ryder Cup. He went 0-4-0 through the first two rounds of the tournament.
On his final day, however, Scheffler reminded fans why he’s the world’s best player, etching a 1-up victory over Irishman Rory McIlroy in the 20th match of the tournament. If he had played much better, things might have been different for the Americans.
Obscure rule will draw controversy
Norwegian Viktor Hovland withdrew from the final day of the tournament because of a neck injury. This activated the “envelope rule.”
When making his singles lineup on Saturday night, United States captain Keegan Bradley had to place one of his players’ names in a sealed envelope in case someone from Europe withdrew. The name was Harris English, who faced Hovland on Sunday.
The match between English and Hovland ended in a draw. The rule left Bradley angry, who said it’s evident to everyone in the sports world this “has to change,” via The Athletic’s Michael Dominski.
Where does the United States go from here?
Will Bradley be the captain at the next Ryder Cup in 2027? His gambles on the first day of the tournament proved costly, but his squad deserves credit for the comeback on its final day.
“It’s been the 12 most stressful hours of my life,” European captain Luke Donald said, via Max Matthews of The Athletic. “Shout out to the Americans and Keegan, his captaincy. We knew they’d be tough. I didn’t think they’d be this tough on Sunday. They fought so hard and respect to them.”
Despite that, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Bradley isn’t a captain again. The Americans must consider making changes to win their first Ryder Cup since 2021.