Europe Extends Dominance on Home Soil with Victory in the Ryder Cup
The European team maintained their stranglehold on the Ryder Cup by securing a solid victory over the American team. Despite a valiant effort by the Americans to stage a comeback, the Europeans held on to secure a win on home soil for the seventh consecutive time. This victory extends Europe’s dominance in the tournament, with eight wins out of 11 overall.
The Europeans made history throughout the tournament, breaking several records. They achieved a sweep of the opening session for the first time in team history and established a tie for the largest lead after the first day and three sessions. It was a remarkable performance by the European team, showcasing their strength and consistency.
One of the key factors behind Europe’s success was the outstanding performance of their top-ranked players. Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, and Jon Rahm, all ranked in the top five of the Official Golf World Ranking (OWGR), had a combined match record of 9-2-3. This trend of European top-ranked players outperforming their American counterparts on home soil has been evident throughout the last seven Ryder Cup home wins, with European top-ranking players winning 62.2% of the time compared to the American’s 36.0%.
Individual standout performances were also notable for the European team. Rory McIlroy secured four match wins, his highest ever in a single Ryder Cup. Viktor Hovland had a remarkable turnaround from his previous disappointing performance two years ago, finishing with more than 11.7 strokes gained total, the only player on either team to achieve double digits.
On the American side, Max Homa led the team in points, contributing 3 1/2 to the overall score. Patrick Cantlay continued his impressive form in singles, remaining undefeated in that format in both the Ryder Cup and the Presidents Cup.
However, the Americans struggled in the foursomes format, where the Europeans dominated, winning seven out of eight matches. This lopsided performance in foursomes has been a consistent trend in recent Ryder Cups contested on European soil, highlighting an area where the American team needs improvement if they want to secure a victory during their next away game in 2027.
The Ryder Cup has faced criticism for the lack of competitiveness in recent years, with the last five tournaments being decided by a margin of five points or more. The average margin of victory in the last ten Ryder Cups is 6.0, disappointing fans who prefer more suspense and tight finishes. The upcoming Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park in 2025 will provide another opportunity for the Americans to break their away drought and inject more excitement into the tournament.
One standout story from this year’s Ryder Cup was Ludvig Aberg, who became the first player in history to compete in the Ryder Cup before teeing it up in a major championship. Despite coming up short against Brooks Koepka, Aberg impressed with his performance throughout the tournament, ranking high in strokes gained off the tee and strokes gained putting.
Looking ahead, the Europeans will aim to continue their dominance on home soil, while the Americans will be eager to secure a victory in the next Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Ireland. The tournament promises to deliver thrilling golf and intense competition as both teams strive to claim the prestigious Ryder Cup trophy.