The United States team beat Europe 17 to 11 in the 41st Ryder Cup, their first victory since 2008. Davis Love III’s final Captain’s pick, Ryan Moore, clinched the Cup for the U.S. on the 18th Hole.
Patrick Reed led the way for the United States with 3.5 points, while Brooks Koepka and Brandt Snedeker each scored three. For Europe, three players failed to record a point: Matthew Fitzpatrick, Andy Sullivan and Danny Willett.
12 Deep
All 12 members of Captain Davis Love III’s U.S. Ryder Cup team had a hand in winning at least one match this week at Hazeltine, and, in fact, this feat was completed by the end of Saturday afternoon’s session. The last time every member of a U.S. Ryder Cup Team earned at least one win in a single Ryder Cup was in 1975 at Laurel Valley, when Arnold Palmer’s squad bested Europe, 21 to 11.
Finishing Touch
Since 1979, the United States has entered Sunday singles with at least a 3-point lead on three occasions and secured the Ryder Cup twice (2016, 1981). The lone exception: 2012 at Medinah (led 10-6, lost 14½ over 13½).
Pieters Sets European Records
With his 3 and 2 Singles victory on Sunday versus J.B. Holmes, Thomas Pieters set the European rookie record for most points and wins in a single Ryder Cup. His four wins surpass the previous record of three set by several European greats, including Sir Nick Faldo, José María Olazábal and Sergio Garcia. Additionally, the four points scored by Pieters puts him past the 3½ tally set by Paul Way (1983), Sergio Garcia (1999) and Paul Lawrie (1999).
Slick Picks
Davis Love III’s four Captain’s Selections – Rickie Fowler (2-1-0), J.B. Holmes (1-2-0), Matt Kuchar (2-2-0) and Ryan Moore (2-1-0) – combined on a 7-6-0 record this week at Hazeltine. The quartet’s 7 combined victories set a new mark for combined wins from Captain’s selections in a single Ryder Cup. The former mark of 6 was shared by the 2010 and 2012 United States Teams (the U.S. made just two Captain’s picks from 1989-2006, before evolving to its present allotment of four in 2008).
Phil Eyes History
With his 45th match today, Phil Mickelson trails only Sir Nick Faldo’s 46 matches for most all-time, while his 11th Singles match ties Arnold Palmer for most by a United States player. After a 2-1-1 record this week, Mickelson is up to 18 wins all-time, trailing Palmer (22), Billy Casper (20) and Lenny Wadkins (20).
On Saturday, Phil Mickelson eclipsed the tie held for the record of Most Four-Ball Matches won that was shared win Wadkins and Palmer. Mickelson now has 8 wins at Four-Ball. Wadkins and Palmer are tied for second with 7.
Rookies in Singles
The six rookies for Europe finished with a 2-4-0 record today, while the United States team’s two rookies Brooks Koepka and Ryan Moore won each of their matches.
Prior to Sunday’s Singles session and dating back to 1999, European rookies were a combined 8-17-6 in the Singles format. During the same stretch, U.S. rookies were 14-14-3. The last rookies to win a Singles match occurred for both sides in 2014, when Jamie Donaldson (Europe), Patrick Reed (U.S.) and Jimmy Walker (U.S.) accomplished the feat for their respective sides.
Gimmes
- Since 1979, the team who wins the Singles session has won the Ryder Cup 15 of the 19 times, including today.
- Rafa Cabrera Bello (2-0-1) was the lone European without a loss during the 41st Ryder Cup; while Brandt Snedeker remained unbeaten as well, turning in a perfect 3-0-0 mark.
- European players entered Sunday’s Singles matches with a combined 13-13-2 record, while the United States players were collectively 13-11-2.
- Dating to 2008, European players who participate in five sessions were 4-0-1 in Singles entering Sunday.
Victory Formation
Matches ended on the following holes:
Hole 14 – 4
Hole 15 – 1
Hole 16 – 9
Hole 17 – 4
Hole 18 – 10
Captain’s Picks Update
Europe: 5-7-0
- Martin Kaymer 1-3-0
- Thomas Pieters 4-1-0
- Lee Westwood 0-3-0
United States: 7-6-0
- Rickie Fowler: 2-1-0
- J.B. Holmes: 1-2-0
- Matt Kuchar: 2-2-0
- Ryan Moore: 2-1-0
Rookie Report
Europe: 7-9-1
- Rafa Cabrera Bello: 2-0-1
- Matthew Fitzpatrick: 0-2-0
- Thomas Pieters: 4-1-0
- Andy Sullivan: 0-2-0
- Danny Willett: 0-3-0
- Chris Wood: 1-1-0
United States: 5-2-0
- Brooks Koepka: 3-1-0
- Ryan Moore: 2-1-0
