U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Steve Stricker’s squad came through for him in a big way, topping Europe 19 to 9 on Sunday in Kohler, Wisconsin. In a landslide effort, the U.S. Team captured the Ryder Cup with the largest margin of victory in the modern era.
Dustin Johnson became the first American in 42 years to pitch a perfect game, going 5-0-0 at Whistling Straits. U.S. rookie Collin Morikawa clinched the 43rd Ryder Cup with a birdie on No. 17, securing the final half-point needed in his match against Viktor Hovland.
Here’s how the final day of the 43rd Ryder Cup unfolded:
FINAL SCORE: U.S. 19 – Europe 9
Sunday Singles Matches: U.S. 8 – Europe 4
Match 1: Rory McIlroy (Europe) def. Xander Schauffele (U.S.), 3 and 2
Capturing his first point of the week and his first Singles victory since 2014, McIlroy had the Ryder Cup rookie on his heels from the get-go. A couple short misses from Schauffele were the eventual difference maker in the opening match.
Match 2: Patrick Cantlay (U.S.) def. Shane Lowry (Europe), 4 and 2
Cantlay found his stride after falling 1 down, winning four consecutive holes to gain a 3-up lead. Lowry would apply some pressure, but the American answered the call, namely with his approach shots on Nos. 14 and 15. Unflappable on the greens all week, Cantlay improved to 3-0-1 in his Ryder Cup debut.
Match 3: Scottie Scheffler (U.S.) def. Jon Rahm (Europe), 4 and 3
Four straight birdies to begin the day gave Scheffler an early 4-up lead over the heart of the European Team. The previously unbeaten Rahm had his moments, but couldn’t overcome the heavy deficit, falling for the first time in this Ryder Cup. Meanwhile, Scheffler became the third man to ever take down the world No. 1 in Singles.
Match 4: Bryson DeChambeau (U.S.) def. Sergio Garcia (Europe), 3 and 2
Back and forth early, DeChambeau took control of the match with a birdie on No. 9 to extend his lead to 3 up. The decorated Spaniard cut into that cushion at various points, but in the end, DeChambeau’s distance was too much. The American took apart Whistling Straits, carding five birdies and an eagle on the day.
Match 5: Collin Morikawa (U.S.) vs. Viktor Hovland (Europe), Tied
A couple of Ryder Cup rookies faced off in what was one of the most anticipated matches of the day. Trailing early, the 2020 PGA champion quickly flipped the script by winning four consecutive holes at one point. They would trade blows on the back-nine as Hovland tied the match with three holes to play. Adding to his incredible resume, Morikawa’s birdie on No. 17 – his eighth of the day – gave the U.S. the pivotal half-point to reclaim the Ryder Cup.
Match 6: Dustin Johnson (U.S.) def. Paul Casey (Europe), 1 up
For the fourth time this week, Casey and Johnson found themselves facing off against one other. A tight contest throughout, the 37-year-old began to pull away with birdies on Nos. 8 and 10. Casey fought valiantly, but he was outmatched by the world No. 2. Improving to 5-0-0 on the week, Johnson became the first American since Larry Nelson in 1979 to have a perfect Ryder Cup while playing in every match.
Match 7: Brooks Koepka (U.S.) def. Bernd Wiesberger (Europe), 2 and 1
Four birdies on his opening nine gave Koepka a 1-up lead at the halfway point. With neither player possessing more than a 1-up lead, the two went to No. 15 tied up. Koepka would end the fun with a birdie on the par-5 16th and a near-ace on the par-3 17th.
Match 8: Ian Poulter (Europe) def. Tony Finau (U.S.), 3 and 2
Looking to become the first man to defeat Poulter in Sunday’s singles, Finau drew even with the Englishman with a birdie on No. 8. However, the Ryder Cup stalwart responded as he so often does, with birdies of his own on Nos. 10, 11, and 12. With the victory, Poulter remained unbeaten and improved to 6-0-1 all-time in Sunday Singles.
Match 9: Justin Thomas (U.S.) def. Tyrrell Hatton (Europe), 4 and 3
Leading 4 up through nine holes, the American sparkplug made easy work of the fiery Englishman. Outside of a few brief moments, Hatton hardly had his best stuff at Whistling Straits this week. Thomas took advantage and strolled to a stress-free victory.
Match 10: Lee Westwood (Europe) def. Harris English (U.S.), 1 up
English and the Englishman went back and forth all day. With English relinquishing a 2-up lead late, the two went the No. 18 tied up. A Westwood victory on the closing hole sent the 48-year-old out in style as his 11th Ryder Cup appearance may likely have been his last as a player.
Match 11: Jordan Spieth (U.S.) vs. Tommy Fleetwood (Europe), Tied
Plenty of birdies and plenty of miscues in this one. A far cry from his form in Paris, Fleetwood held his own despite this week’s struggles. Trading birdies late, the two would tie, improving Spieth’s Singles record to 0-3-1 as he still searches for his first Singles victory in the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup.
Match 12: Daniel Berger (U.S.) def. Matt Fitzpatrick (Europe), 1 up
Five birdies on his opening nine saw Berger come away with a 2-up lead at the turn. Fitzpatrick countered with five birdies in a six-hole stretch, as the anchor match would see its way to the 18th hole. When Fitzpatrick’s final approach found the water, it all but secured a record victory for the United States.
