SHANE LOWRY could not control his emotions following his crucial putt to retain the Ryder Cup for Team Europe.
Europe had headed into the final day’s action with a seven-point lead over their opponents following Viktor Hovland‘s withdrawal through injury.
Shane Lowry burst into tears following his crucial putt to retain the Ryder Cup[/caption]
The Irishman steeled himself to make the pressure putt amidst a shocking USA fightback[/caption]
The 38-year-old could not contain his emotion following the match[/caption]
He called the match “the hardest couple of hours of my life”[/caption]
The US put up a spirited fightback that saw them stun European stars such as Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy.
A five-hole comeback from Bryson DeChambeau to tie his match with Matt Fitzpatrick set the stage for one of the most spectacular comebacks in golf history.
But Irishman Lowry held his nerve on the 18th green to sink the crucial putt and share the points in his match with world No. 3 Russell Henley.
In a post-match interview, Lowry broke into tears before being able to get a word out, overwhelmed by the occasion and the magnitude of his achievement.
He struggled to get his words out initially, before saying: “I have been so lucky to experience amazing things in this game.”
Once again emotions took hold as he wiped tears away with his arm and groaned under the weight of the moment.
He continued: “That was the hardest couple of hours of my whole life honestly.
“I just can’t believe it, I just cannot believe that putt went in, I stood over it going this is it.
“I said to Darren [Reynolds] walking down to 18, ‘I have the chance to do the coolest thing of my life here.’”
Lowry, 38, had what would usually be a manageable putt to level the match, but the pressure of the moment was clearly weighing on him as he stepped up to the ball.
Lowry could not believe it when he made the decisive putt[/caption]
Tyrrell Hatton’s draw with Collin Morikawa was enough to win Europe the event[/caption]
Europe are the first team to win on foreign soil since they last did it in 2012[/caption]
After smoothly sinking the putt, Lowry danced across the green with as much relief as joy before hugging his caddie in triumph.
He continued in his post-match interview: “The Ryder Cup means everything to me honestly.
“I’ve won the Open in Ireland, it’s amazing it’s a dream come true but the Ryder Cup for me is everything.
“To do that there today on the 18th green in front of everyone it’s like… It was so hard out there.
“Fair play to the US lads, we knew they were gonna come out fighting but…
“I just hope one of the boys can get a half point so we can get the win, obviously we have retained the cup but we want to win as well.”
Tyrrell Hatton would do his teammate proud as he drew level with Collin Morikawa and earned Team Europe the crucial half-point necessary to hand them the win.
The victory will be especially sweet to Lowry, who got into it with American fans after receiving abuse throughout the tournament.
Europe will retain the trophy until the next edition, set to be held in 2027 in Lowry’s homeland of Ireland.
