Fleetwood secures Ryder Cup for Europe after brave US fightback

ROME : Europe withstood a fierce American fightback to secure the four points required to reclaim the Ryder Cup with England's Tommy Fleetwood sealing the deal in a nerve-jangling climax on Sunday.

The Americans, attempting the biggest final-day comeback in the history of the biennial event, finally found their mojo after being outplayed and out-fought for two days at the Marco Simone course.

Hauling back a daunting five-point deficit proved beyond them, however, and Fleetwood made sure the trophy would return to Europe when his opponent Rickie Fowler conceded the 16th hole to leave the Briton two up with two to play and guaranteed a half point.

Fleetwood duly completed a 3&1 victory but the celebrations had already started as Europe extended their 30-year unbeaten home record against the Americans and avenged the record 19-9 thrashing they endured at Whistling Straits in 2021.

Although the final score was a comfortable-looking 16-1/2- 11-1/2 with the gap the same as at the start of the 12 singles, there were moments when a U.S. win looked possible.

"It was stressful as the Americans put up a fight today so hats off to them. But I am so proud of my 12 guys," said Europe skipper Luke Donald, whose team seized control of the 44th Ryder Cup on Friday with a 4-0 sweep of the morning foursomes.

"We started off great, which was what we needed. Then a few matches changed to red. We kept looking at the board and thinking, where will we find 14 and a half points?

"But we always had some guys at the back that looked good."

The 32-year-old Fleetwood, who picked up three points from his four matches, had not expected to be centre of attention but was ready when his moment came.

"I'd have rather not been in that situation," he said. "I didn't