In Farmingdale, N.Y., an unexpected silence surrounded Rory McIlroy. His prior prediction of victory at Bethpage Black, made two years earlier, became reality thanks to Shane Lowry`s decisive birdie putt on the 18th green. Yet, as the celebrations erupted, McIlroy was conspicuously absent from the initial joyous scenes.
A jubilant Lowry revelled in the chants of the enthusiastic European supporters. Jon Rahm shared an emotional embrace with vice captain José María Olazábal, who had led the last team to an away victory in 2012, both men overcome with emotion. European captain Luke Donald visibly relaxed, finally able to breathe easily.
Earlier, McIlroy had narrowly lost his crucial singles match to Scottie Scheffler 1-down, raising concerns about a potential historic Ryder Cup collapse. The U.S. team, trailing 12-5, had staged a formidable comeback, tightening the scoreline to an unexpectedly close margin.
The tension was palpable; every single point had become critical. The American crowd, previously subdued, roared to life, passionately cheering their team instead of jeering their opponents. For McIlroy, victory now hinged on the performances of his teammates.
“It was incredibly close right at the end,” McIlroy admitted, “quite stressful, really.”
Despite his own match concluding, McIlroy stayed on the course, moving between Tyrrell Hatton`s and Robert MacIntyre`s games, offering his presence as a silent form of encouragement. Even after Lowry secured the putt that ensured Europe would retain the cup, McIlroy remained until the very last match concluded, sealing Europe`s narrow 15-13 victory.
“It`s gratifying to be proven correct, as I`m not always,” McIlroy remarked regarding his earlier prediction. He elaborated, “Our victory in Rome initiated a plan to achieve something unprecedented in over ten years. We placed great faith in the consistency and cohesion of our team.”
More than just retaining eleven of the twelve players from their Rome triumph, this European squad displayed an undeniable, though hard-to-define, unity. This was visible not only in their celebrations after winning a hole or match but also in their reactions to setbacks. It was particularly evident when, after sinking a critical putt, players would immediately seek out their partners to share the moment, their embraces conveying a bond akin to brothers-in-arms rather than mere teammates.
While professional stroke play golf on the PGA Tour demands intense individual focus and rewards consistent, patient play, the Ryder Cup`s match play and alternate shot formats reveal a distinct European philosophy. Over the last two Ryder Cups, the Americans have approached these formats as challenges for individual talent, whereas the Europeans have consistently leveraged them as platforms to demonstrate their collective strength (boasting a 14-2 record in foursomes during this period). This undeniable teamwork was instrumental in their early commanding lead and their ability to withstand the formidable American surge, which saw the U.S. win or tie eleven of twelve singles matches on Sunday.
For over a decade, the United States has frequently possessed a talent advantage in most Ryder Cups, leading to commanding victories like those at Whistling Straits in 2021 and Hazeltine in 2016. However, even in defeat, the Europeans found moments of satisfaction, largely due to their unique perspective on the event.
“Ryder Cup weeks are truly the greatest weeks of our lives,” stated Captain Donald. “The time we share during these events is what we remember and cherish most. A significant aspect of my captaincy has been to cultivate an atmosphere where every player genuinely experiences the best weeks of their lives.”
It would be simple to attribute Europe`s remarkable performance during the initial two days of this year`s competition to factors beyond American influence. “They simply sank more putts,” Keegan Bradley repeatedly remarked. “Luck favored them,” Bryson DeChambeau commented on Friday.
While such explanations might seem straightforward, Europe has consistently demonstrated otherwise, emphasizing that success stems from chemistry and meticulous preparation, not just statistics. It requires emotional investment alongside raw talent, and precision both on and off the course.
“The professionalism he`s displayed over the past four years,” Jon Rahm said, referring to Donald, “his incredible attention to detail…” “And his exceptional communication skills,” McIlroy chimed in.
On Sunday, holding the coveted cup, Donald offered a glimpse into the depth of their preparations. He revealed that even the European uniforms were custom-designed to echo those worn by the four previous European teams victorious on foreign soil, a detail that was just the beginning of their meticulous planning.
Donald shared anecdotes of their thoroughness: patching cracks in hotel room doors to block light, upgrading bedding from mere sheets to ensure player comfort, and even replacing standard shampoo with higher-quality, better-smelling alternatives. “It`s about investing the time and demonstrating the care required to provide these players with every possible advantage,” Donald explained. “The goal is to foster an environment conducive to their success.”
Under Donald`s leadership, this European team`s most significant accomplishment might be their mastery of both tangible and intangible preparations. They meticulously planned everything from precise player pairings, comfortable bedding, and managing time zone adjustments, to understanding venue-specific skills, all while perfecting the subtle, psychological aspects of team dynamics.
When asked about his consistent success as the Ryder Cup`s best putter, Justin Rose mused, “I believe it`s the collective power, the team`s shared desire, that extra drive to win. Honestly, I can`t pinpoint it beyond the badge and the camaraderie of the guys. That`s truly all that matters: the emblem and the team.”
As Sunday afternoon drew to a close, with both the cup retained and victory secured, a weary, flushed McIlroy ascended the 18th hole. For three days, he had faced the intense atmosphere of Long Island, enduring taunts and insults from American spectators. Now, he emerged triumphant and validated, ready to be engulfed by the cheers of legions of European fans chanting his name.
The crowd roared, “Roooooory! Roooooory!”
In 2012, when Europe claimed victory at Medinah, McIlroy was a mere 21, playing in only his second Ryder Cup. Now, at 36, a seasoned Grand Slam champion, he stood at the heart of another away win, creating a poetic symmetry to his career.
“This will be etched in our memories forever; it`s a historic achievement,” Donald declared. “Future generations will recount the story of this team tonight and their incredible feat, overcoming one of sport`s most challenging environments. That`s what motivates me, and it`s a sentiment shared by Rory and all eleven other players.”
As Donald concluded his remarks, McIlroy, seated beside him, was seen wiping away tears.
Rupert Hollis 
Jasper Carew