European golfing star Shane Lowry has admitted that retaining the Ryder Cup for Europe was the “hardest couple of hours of my life”.
Luke Donald’s team began the day with a substantial six-point lead, but a string of late American victories on singles Sunday saw the visitors’ lead significantly diminished, leading to a nail-biting finale.
However, when Russell Henley missed a putt for birdie on the 18th green, it fell to Irishman Lowry to secure the half point that would ensure the Samuel Ryder trophy would be returning with him back to Europe.
The former Open champion did not disappoint, triggering wild celebrations in front of the 18th grandstand.
Speaking to Sky Sports after his victory, an emotional Lowry said: “I’ve been so lucky to experience amazing things in this game, that was the hardest couple of hours of my life. Honestly. I just can’t believe it. I can’t believe that putt went in. I was just stood over it going, ‘Well, this is it.’ I said to Darren walking down to 18, ‘I have the chance to do the coolest thing in my life here.'”
“The Ryder Cup means everything to me, honestly. I won The Open in Ireland, it’s amazing it’s a dream come true, but the Ryder Cup for me is everything. To do that there today in front of everyone, it’s like…it was so hard out there. I mean, fair play to the US lads, like, we knew they were going to come out fighting.
“But yeah. I just hope one of the boys can get a half-point so we can get the win. Obviously we retain the cup but we want a win as well.”
Lowry’s dreams of claiming outright victory came true when Tyrrell Hatton grabbed the crucial half point needed on the 18th green to secure the most nail-biting of triumphs when a record European success had appeared certain at the day’s outset.
Sam Burns’ wayward putt on the concluding hole of the final match gifted Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre a half point to wrap up a 15-13 European triumph at Bethpage Black.
