CHASKA, Minn. — The United States reclaimed the Ryder Cup with a dominant final day display at Hazeltine National to end its long and frustrating drought against Europe.
Patrick Reed set the tone for the Americans with a thrilling victory over Rory McIlroy at the top of the order, with the home side easily clinching the five points it required from the Sunday singles snatch back the trophy.
Despite a brief early European surge there would be no repeat of the late U.S. collapse at Medinah four years ago, as Europe’s streak of three straight Cup successes was brought to a convincing halt.
Ryan Moore, the final player selected to the U.S. team, secured the triumph when he won the 18th hole to beat Lee Westwood, taking the U.S. past the 14.5-point threshold that it needed to win.
Darren Clarke, the Europe captain, had little option but to frontload his order in the hope of putting pressure on his opponents. However, the Americans took firm control in the bottom half where they faced a European group filled with rookies and out of form players.
Europe will attempt to regain the Cup in 2018, when it hosts the event in Paris.
