Europe conquers the Ryder Cup: McIlroy predicted the triumph on hostile soil

McIlroy and Europe Celebrate Ryder Cup Victory

In Farmingdale, New York, the atmosphere was jubilant. Rory McIlroy, two years after predicting victory at Bethpage Black, saw Shane Lowry’s putt on the 18th hole turn his words into a fulfilled prophecy. The celebration, however, began without him. Lowry, euphoric, joined the European fans who were cheering him on. Jon Rahm embraced his compatriot and vice-captain José María Olazábal, visibly moved. The European captain, Luke Donald, was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. McIlroy had lost his singles match against Scottie Scheffler, and for a moment, the possibility of a historic defeat for Europe seemed real. The American team, after overcoming a 12-5 deficit, had brought the Ryder Cup closer to what everyone expected.

Suddenly, every point mattered. American fans, previously hostile, were now cheering for their team. McIlroy, for his part, needed external support.

“It was a very close finish, a little stressful,” McIlroy commented.

Rory McIlroy

McIlroy remained on the course, supporting Tyrrell Hatton and Robert MacIntyre. Even after Lowry’s putt that secured the cup, he stayed to witness the final match that gave Europe the victory by a close 15-13.

“It’s good to be right. I’m not always right,” McIlroy said about his prediction. “I think when we won in Rome, the mechanisms were put in place to achieve something that hadn’t been done in over a decade. We believed a lot in our continuity.”

Rory McIlroy

Beyond recovering 11 of the 12 players from Rome, there is a cohesion in the European team that is easy to perceive. It manifests in the way they celebrate each hole won and in how they react to adversity. It is seen when they embrace their teammates after a crucial putt, showing a brotherhood that goes beyond the professional. Golf requires concentration and focus. In the Ryder Cup, team play is Europe’s strength, allowing them to gain a considerable advantage and withstand the American onslaught in Sunday’s singles matches. In the last 12 years, the United States has had a talent advantage. But Europe has shown that chemistry, emotion, and precision, both on and off the field, are key.

“Ryder Cup weeks are the best of our lives,” Donald stated. “Creating an environment where players have the best weeks of their lives is an important part of my captaincy.”

Luke Donald

European action was not solely due to external factors. Unity and strategy were fundamental. Donald, in his captaincy, focused on the details, from the design of the uniforms to the comfort in the hotel rooms.

“It’s about dedicating time and taking care of every detail to give these players the best opportunity,” Donald explained. “We want to create an environment where they can succeed.”

Luke Donald

Justin Rose, being the best Ryder Cup player for the second consecutive year, highlighted the importance of the team and unity. “The answer to your question is that I don’t know, apart from the badge and the guys, honestly. That’s all that matters, the badge and the guys.”

At the end of Sunday afternoon, McIlroy, exhausted, went up to the 18th hole. After three days of struggle, he overcame the insults of the American fans and emerged victorious, ready to celebrate with his European supporters. In 2012, in Medinah, McIlroy was 21 years old. Now, at 36, he is a Grand Slam champion and a key player in another historic victory. Donald concluded that this victory will be remembered forever and that future generations will talk about this team and its ability to overcome one of the most difficult environments in the sport. McIlroy, excited, joined the celebration.