Shane Lowry celebrated wildly on the Marco Simone course as Europe regained the Ryder Cup trophy – despite still playing in his own singles match.
Europe beat the USA 16 1/2 – 11 1/2 to regain the Ryder Cup after producing a dominant opening set of singles performances on Sunday at the Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome.
Luke Donald’s side enacted revenge on their harrowing Whistling Straits defeat two-years ago to thrash an American team who constantly found themselves trying to regain ground throughout the competition.
Europe needed just four points in the final session to seal the Ryder Cup trophy after building on their early lead, which was sealed by Tommy Fleetwood as Rickie Fowler conceded on the 16th and hand the hosts the required title-winning half point.
Moments before Fleetwood had sealed the win, Lowry was seen celebrating wildly on the course as Europe edged closer to that winning moment.
Shane Lowry was full of energy as he celebrated his putt on the 17th during Sunday’s action
Lowry rushed to embrace team-mate Nicolai Hojgaard (left) after securing the putt
Lowry wheeled away in jubilant celebration – despite still having one hole left to play
Footage showed Lowry, firstly, celebrating before his putt had gone in on the 17th hole before then continuing his celebrations done the fairway.
The Irishman came so close to winning his match against Jordan Spieth but tied with the USA star on the final hole – with Spieth clinching the match.
Lowry latest described this year’s Ryder Cup as ‘the greatest week of my life’ as he continued to celebrate Europe’s victory.
Europe’s Jon Rahm kick-started Sunday’s surge to the title as he took an early lead against Scottie Scheffler before being pegged back in a hard-fought contest.
Viktor Hovland enjoyed a more comfortable match against Colin Morikawa by taking a two-up lead on the front nine and continuing to impress on the back-half of the course to seal the first whole point of the day for Europe.
USA looked to fightback with Patrick Cantlay impressing in a 2&1 win over Justin Rose as the visitors rose to seven competition points, but they still needed seven more to seal what would have been an astonishing victory.
Just two-and-a-half more points were needed for the hosts and McIlroy wanted to make sure he would be there to help Europe snatch victory by producing a sensational round against Sam Burns.
The Northern Irishman’s outstanding performance was an ode to the saying ‘don’t poke the sleeping lion’, McIlroy was poked by America on Saturday evening and roared with revenge to thrash his opponent.
Just one-and-a-half points were needed and Tyrrell Hatton was on-hand to add another by beating Georgian-born Brian Harman 3&2.
Hatton’s brilliant bunker shot on the 16th placed him to within a metre of the hole and Harman’s miss gave the Englishman a warranted victory.
Team Europe regained the Ryder Cup after completing a dominant weekend showing against the USA
Europe were so near but a look at the scoreboard showed they were also still so far away with the USA up in the next four matches at the Italian course.
Matt Fitzpatrick had the chance to win the Ryder Cup for Europe in his contest with Max Homa but missed his putt as his effort skewed just wide.
Homa produced a perfect chip to put him close to the pin and held his nerve to tap in and clinch victory and move America onto nine points.
Xander Schauffele sealed another win for America as he beat Nicolai Hojgaard 3&2 while reigning US PGA champion Brooks Koepka starred in a 3&2 win against Ludvig Aberg 3&2 as America looked to press on in their search of a dream comeback.
However, Tommy Fleetwood was on-hand to dash America’s ambitions after producing arguably a career-best tee shot on the par three 16th and giving him two shots at winning the hole after Ricky Fowler skewed his effort into the water.
