An emotional Rory McIlroy fought back tears during an interview live on Sky Sports after Team Europe won the Ryder Cup 15-13 on a rollercoaster Sunday. The Europeans survived a thrilling fightback from Keegan Bradley’s Team USA at Bethpage Black as Shane Lowry ensured that Team Europe retained the trophy before Tyrrell Hatton’s tie confirmed an away victory in New York. McIlroy had to endure torrents of abuse and heckles across the weekend, some of which crossed the line, and was a relieved man to taste glory and vowed to party late into the night.
Choking back tears, McIlroy said: “I’m extremely proud to be part of this team – of every single member, the vice-captains, the backroom support staff. This was an unbelievable collective effort. As soon as we won in Rome, we turned our attention to trying to do something many thought was impossible – not just win in America, but here in New York. It’s been an amazing week. To hear the ‘Ole Oles’ in America, to achieve something people said couldn’t be done after Whistling Straits – the talk of decades of American dominance – we took that and let it fuel us.
“We were so lucky to have someone as incredible as Luke Donald to guide us through this process. He’s been amazing. Eleven of the 12 players from Rome came back, we did what we needed to do – and now we’re going to celebrate like there’s no tomorrow.”
McIlroy lost his singles match to world No.1 Scottie Scheffler, his first defeat of the weekend after three wins and a halved match across Friday and Saturday’s foursomes and fourballs matches. The Masters champion endured mockery about his private life, family and X-rated chants throughout the weekend at Bethpage with Team Europe Luke Donald accusing Americans of “crossing the line” on the second day.
After becoming only Europe’s second two-time Ryder Cup-winning captain after Tony Jacklin, Donald reacted: “That has to be the most stressful 12 hours of my life! A shoutout to the Americans, and Keegan Bradley’s captaincy. We knew they would be tough but we didn’t know they would be this tough.
“They fought so hard so respect to them. This means a lot to me, to the team. We came here knowing the task couldn’t be more difficult and I couldn’t be more proud of what these guys have gone through.
“They have come together. They are playing for history, playing for people who came before them and now they will be talked about for generations to come. This will go down in history.”
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