Europe Conquers Ryder Cup: McIlroy Fulfills Prophecy in USA

McIlroy Prophetic: Europe Conquers the Ryder Cup in an Epic Duel

In Farmingdale, New York, golfer Rory McIlroy predicted victory at Bethpage Black. Two years later, Shane Lowry’s birdie on the 18th hole turned his words into a fulfilled prophecy. The celebration, however, began without him. Lowry, euphoric, joined the European fans, who cheered him on. Jon Rahm embraced his compatriot and vice-captain José María Olazábal, who couldn’t hold back the tears. The European captain, Luke Donald, finally breathed a sigh of relief. McIlroy had lost his singles match against Scottie Scheffler and, for a moment, the possibility of being part of the biggest debacle in Ryder Cup history seemed plausible. After a comeback by the American team, the score was tied, creating the excitement that everyone expected.

Rory McIlroy and some of his European teammates celebrate their 15-13 victory.Suddenly, every point was crucial. American fans joined in the excitement, cheering for their team. McIlroy needed the support of his teammates.

“It was very close in the end. It was a little stressful,” McIlroy commented.

Rory McIlroy

McIlroy stayed on the course, supporting Tyrrell Hatton and Robert MacIntyre. Even when Lowry secured the cup, he remained until the last match, which 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 wheels were set in motion to try and do something that hadn’t been done in over a decade. We believed a lot in our continuity.”

Rory McIlroy

Beyond the return of 11 of the 12 Roma players, there is cohesion in the European team, palpable in their celebrations and in their response to adversity. The unity is manifested in the way they enjoy every crucial moment and in the closeness they project, beyond camaraderie. Golf, with its game formats, demands concentration and patience. In the last two Ryder Cups, while the Americans see the formats as challenges, the Europeans take advantage of them to demonstrate their unity, with their team play being their greatest strength. In the last 12 years, the United States has had the advantage in talent. But even in defeat, Europeans have found reasons for joy, partly because of their vision of the week.

“Ryder Cup weeks are the best of our lives,” Donald said. “I think those weeks we spend together are the ones we remember the most and the ones we appreciate the most for the time we spend together. That’s a big part of my captaincy: creating an environment where these guys are having the best weeks of their lives, honestly.”

Luke Donald

It’s easy to attribute the impressive European performance to factors outside of American control.

“They made more putts,” Keegan Bradley said on several occasions.

Keegan Bradley

“Luck was on his side,” Bryson DeChambeau said on Friday.

Bryson DeChambeau

But Europe has shown that it is more than that. That it takes chemistry, emotion, talent and precision on and off the field.

“The level of professionalism he has shown us in the last four years,” Jon Rahm said about Donald. “His attention to detail…”

Jon Rahm

“His communication skills…”, added McIlroy.

Rory McIlroy

On Sunday, with the cup in his hands, Donald revealed part of his strategy. The European uniforms were designed inspired by the previous winning teams, but that’s just the beginning. Donald mentioned that in the hotel room there were cracks in the doors that let light through, so they fixed them. They changed the bedding for greater comfort and the shampoo for a better quality one.

“It’s simply taking the time and having the care to want to do everything possible to give these guys the best opportunity,” Donald said. “You want to create an environment where they can succeed.”

Luke Donald

Perhaps the greatest feat of this European team is that, under Donald’s direction, they have mastered the balance between preparation for the tangible and the perfection of the intangible.

“I feel the power of the group, the ability to focus and want a little more,” said Justin Rose, when asked about being the best at putts in the Ryder Cup for the second time in a row. “The answer to your question is that I don’t know, apart from the badge and the guys, honestly. That’s the only thing that matters, honestly, the badge and the guys.”

Justin Rose

The European team poses with the Ryder Cup after defeating the US team at Bethpage Black.

At the end of Sunday afternoon, with victory assured, McIlroy reached the 18th hole, exhausted but victorious. After enduring criticism from American fans, he emerged vindicated and ready to be acclaimed by his European followers. “Roooooory! Roooooory!” In 2012, in Medinah, at 21 years old, McIlroy played his second Ryder Cup. Now, at 36 years old, a Grand Slam champion, he was the center of another victory as a perfect closing.

“We will always remember this. We will always go down in history,” Donald said. “Future generations will talk about this team and what they did, how they were able to overcome one of the toughest environments in all of sports, and that’s what inspires me, that’s what Rory and these other 11 guys understand.”

Luke Donald

As Donald finished his answer, McIlroy, sitting next to him, wiped away his tears.