Lowry’s putt lifted him into a tie with American Russell Henley for the half-point that gave Europe a 14-11 lead with three matches remaining, all the visitors needed to keep the trophy after a 2023 victory in Rome.
Europe seized a record 11.5-4.5 lead after the pairs sessions, which became 12-5 after Norway’s Viktor Hovland withdrew from the singles due to a neck injury and his match with Harris English was declared a draw.
Early losses by Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose had Europe reeling but Sweden’s Ludwig Aberg beat Patrick Cantlay 2&1 and Matt Fitzpatrick, despite squandering a 5-up lead after seven holes, tied Bryson DeChambeau to put Europe on the brink.
Having won the Cup in Rome in 2023, Europe needed only 14 points to keep it while the Americans needed 14.5 point to recapture it, which would have taken the greatest last-day comeback in Cup history.
It nearly happened and tensions grew to epic levels before Lowry’s heroic finish.
With Henley 1-up at the 18th tee, Lowry found the fairway and Henley a left bunker, but the American’s approach landed 10 feet from the hole.
Lowry dropped his approach six feet from the hole, then watched Henley miss a putt to win their match.
The Irishman sank his putt to win the hole, tie the match and secure the Cup – then started dancing on the green.
“That was the hardest couple of hours of my life,” a tearful Lowry said.
Europe’s triumph was their 11th in the past 15 Cup showdowns and their fourth on the road in that span, the first away victory since Europe’s 2012 “Miracle at Medinah.”
Americans lead the all-time rivalry 27-16-2 but Europe lead 13-9-1 since the roster was expanded beyond Britain and Ireland in 1979. (AFP)
