27th September, 2021
The United States, led by a new generation, reclaimed the Ryder Cup on Sunday, thrashing holders Europe 19-9.
The victory may herald what could be an era of domination by the Americans at the biennial competition.
Having romped to a commanding 11-5 advantage after the foursome and fourball sessions, the Americans entered the singles needing just 3-1/2 points to reach the target required to hoist the little gold trophy.
Collin Morikawa, a 24-year-old Ryder Cup rookie, ended Europe’s faint hopes of a comeback when he birdied the 17th to go 1Up in his match with Viktor Hovland, guaranteeing the U.S. a deciding half-point.
The youngest member on the U.S. team and a two-time major winner would make it official a few minutes later with a par on 18 to end the match in a tie, sending a thundering chant of “USA, USA” rumbling across Whistling Straits.
“To clinch this and bring it back on home soil feels so good,” said Morikawa, one of six rookies on the 12-man U.S. team. “The guys pulled through; we didn’t let up.”
The 19-9 rout was the largest margin of victory ever in the current 28-point Ryder Cup format, which began in 1979.
It was just the second time in six competitions and third in 10 that the U.S. had claimed golf’s most coveted team title.
Whistling Straits provided a stunning backdrop and perfect party spot for 40,000 mostly flag-waving American fans, who flooded into the links-style Pete Dye jewel on the Lake Michigan shoreline on Sunday, ready to celebrate.