RYDER CUP CHAMPION

They came into a hostile environment and emerged victorious for the first time on U.S. soil since 2012. Team Europe blasted their way to an 11 1/2 – 4 1/2 margin after two days of the Ryder Cup, then held on for dear life in the Sunday singles as Europe shockingly won only one singles match while the U.S. won six. Four more were tied, including the “match” between Viktor Hovland and Harris English which actually never took place as Hovland was too injured to tee it up.

Many fingers will be pointed to captain Keegan Bradley’s head-scratching team lineups the first two days, but there was no doubt that Europe was the better side, making birdie after birdie even in the foursome competitions. Europe team leader Rory McIlroy all but guaranteed victory at Bethpage Black two years ago, and he heard it early and often from the pro-USA crowd. And that crowd, unfortunately, went well over the line of acceptable golf-fan behavior and was a definite black mark on the event. But in any case, all credit goes to Europe for proving that they were the superior squad the final week of September.