Shane Lowry revels in epic moment as he helps Europe retain Ryder Cup at Bethpage

For Shane Lowry, this was as meaningful a moment as his victory at the 2019 Open Championship. The Irishman, who has made no secret of his passion for the Ryder Cup, was the man to ensure Europe retained the trophy on a dramatic final day of singles at Bethpage Black.

With Europe holding a record seven-point lead, the visitors were on course for a procession, but they were given a real fright as the United States threatened an unthinkable comeback victory.

As Keegan Bradley’s men won four-and-a-half points from the opening six matches, the pressure was heaped onto the visitors, but up stepped Lowry.

With Europe without a lead in the four matches left on the course, and requiring a half point to ensure victory, the result in the overall contest was firmly in the balance.

With Lowry trailing one down on the last, American Russell Henley hit a brilliant shot from a fairway bunker to ten feet but left his birdie putt short, and Lowry showed immense resolve to hole from seven feet to send his continent – including many of his team-mates watching on - into delirium.

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"I mean, I've been so lucky to experience amazing things in this game," said Lowry, who celebrated his decisive putt with unbridled joy before bursting into tears.

"That was the hardest couple of hours of my whole life, honestly. I just can't believe that putt went in."

Of the 11 singles matches, with Viktor Hovland unable to play due to injury meaning his match with Harris English was deemed a half, Lowry's was one of eight that went to the final hole as he birdied three of the last four holes.

Clearly exhausted at the end of an emotionally draining three days, during which Europe had played in a hostile atmosphere, Lowry revealed he told his caddie "I have a chance to do the coolest thing in my life here" while walking up the 18th.

"The Ryder Cup means everything to me," he added. "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 was so hard out there.

"I mean, fair play to the U.S. lads; we knew they were going to come out fighting."

With Rasmus Højgaard beaten by fellow rookie Ben Griffin, it was left to either Tyrrell Hatton or Robert MacIntyre to secure the half point that ensured just a fifth European win on the road and first since Medinah in 2012.

FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Captain Luke Donald lifts the trophy alongside Shane Lowry, Rasmus Hojgaard, Justin Rose, Jon Rahm, Sepp Straka, Ludvig Aberg, Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre and Tyrrell Hatton of Team Europe after their 15-13 win over Team United States during the Sunday singles matches of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on September 28, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

And it was Hatton - who will look back on this Ryder Cup with great individual memories after winning three and a half points from four matches - who ensured Luke Donald became just the second European captain after Tony Jacklin in 1985 and 1987 to win a home and away Ryder Cup.

Lowry, who was playing in his third Ryder Cup after defeat Whistling Straits in 2021 and victory in Rome in 2023, added of Donald: "He's the greatest captain I think that's ever lived. He's the most amazing man in the world. Honestly, he's done the best job."

Joining other players from the island of Ireland who have produced Ryder Cup heroics, after Paul McGinley at The Belfry in 2002, Darren Clarke at The K Club in 2006 and Graeme McDowell in 2010 at Celtic Manor, Lowry was proud to follow in their footsteps.

"You think back to the Irish greats in the game, they have all holed putts to win the Ryder Cup and I got my moment today," he said.