McIlroy and Europe ‘shut a lot of people up’
Rory McIlroy says that victory at Bethpage ‘shut a lot of people up’ especially after the last Ryder Cup in the US which Europe lost 19-9.
“It’s incredible, you think about the last away Ryder Cup what people were saying, decades of American dominance, to be able to do what we’ve done, in Rome and here, it shut a lot of people up,” McIlroy said.
“It’s surreal, it’s full of European singing, so proud to be part of this team, so proud of Luke. It’s been one massive collective effort, once we won in Rome, we turned our attention to this, we have the blueprint for a home Ryder Cup. What do we have to do differently in an away one?
“We did the right thing and have the right people, so proud of everyone. It’s been a really tough week, I’ve felt I didn’t have much today but when you win the Ryder Cup, it’s not about you, it’s about the team.
“I made my dreams come true at Augusta, then to do what we’ve done, there’s not going to be, unless I repeat at some point, I don’t think there will be a better year in my golfing career.”
Rory McIlroy was emotional after Europe secured Ryder Cup success (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Wire)
Mike Jones29 September 2025 10:32
McIlroy responds after wife Erica hit by beer
Rory McIlroy’s wife Erica was hit by a beer thrown from the onlooking fans during this week’s Ryder Cup in behaviour labelled ‘off-limits’ by the World No. 2 golfer.
“It should be off-limits, but obviously it wasn’t this week,” McIlroy said after a 15-13 win over Keegan Bradley’s US side.
“Erica is fine. She’s a very, very strong woman. You know, she handled everything this week with class and poise and dignity like she always has.
“I love her and we’re going to have a good time celebrating tonight.”
Rory McIlroy was keen to celebrate with his wife Erica (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Wire)
Mike Jones29 September 2025 10:24
Lowry secures place among Irish greats
“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. It’s the best day ever.” Lowry said after his defining putt on the 18th green on Sunday.
He added: “I’ve been so lucky to experience amazing things in this game. That was the hardest couple of hours of my whole life, honestly. I just can’t believe that putt went in.
“I said to (caddie) Darren (Reynolds) walking down 18, I said, ‘I have a chance to do the coolest thing in my life here’.
“The Ryder Cup means everything to me. 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.”
Fans below sing to Shane Lowry and the European players on the high walkway behind the 18th green (Getty)
Mike Jones29 September 2025 10:16
Shane Lowry hails ‘unbelievable’ day
Shane Lowry made it a day to remember for the Lowry family after holing the putt that saw Europe retain the Ryder Cup.
Lowry sank a decisive putt on the 18th hole to earn a half against Russell Henley, which ensured Europe got to the magic 14 points.
“I was nervous but I felt like this is where I belong. I’ve experienced some amazing things but this is like…. I can’t believe it,” he said.
“It’s something that I’ll remember forever. My brother had a baby boy today, as well. They will be sitting at home watching this, it’s unbelievable.
“My dad, he’ll drink a few beers tonight. He’ll be really happy. This is the best team in the world. I don’t care what anyone says. This is the best tournament in the world.
“This is the only thing I want to do for the rest of my life.”
Jon Rahm cuddles Shane Lowry on the 18th green (AP)
Mike Jones29 September 2025 10:08
Inside Team Europe’s rowdy Ryder Cup celebrations as Rory McIlroy leads the party
Rory McIlory was late to the party. He had been out on the course supporting his teammates when his great friend Shane Lowry knocked in the putt that retained the Ryder Cup on the 18th green, and the celebrations had already kicked off.
You knew McIlory had finally arrived when a booming chant of “Rory!” exploded from the horseshoe grandstand around the green. By now it was 6pm, there was only one match left out on the course and the seats were filled exclusively by European fans as Americans fled the scene.
Lawrence Ostlere29 September 2025 10:00
“I think it’s been in place since 1971. The U.S. have used it before. I think it happened in 1991 with Steve Pate,” said European captain Luke Donald said.
“That was a tight Ryder Cup, too, 14½-13½. It happened in 1993; Sam Torrance couldn’t play with an injured toe. The US won that one.
“We have contracts for a reason, a captains’ agreement for a reason, for situations that occur. I want to centre it back to Viktor; I would have had absolute faith in him to deliver a point today. He couldn’t play. He was gutted.
“The rule is the rule and it’s been in place for a long time.”
Mike Jones29 September 2025 09:47
Keegan Bradley demands change to envelope rule
Viktor Hovland’s neck injury on Saturday meant that Europe envoked the ‘envelope rule’ after the player was ruled out of Sunday’s play for medical reasons.
The envelope rule sees both captains put one player’s name in an envelope at the beginning of the week and they sit out the singles matches if the opposing team suffers an injury.
The US name was Harris English who missed Sunday’s play due to Hovland’s absence and as such both players shared half a point.
US captain, Keegan Bradley, didn’t like that ruling and called for a change.
“Yeah, it has to change,” Bradley said. “I have a few ideas but I’m not going to tell you right now. I mean, the rule has to change.
“I think it’s obvious to everybody in the sports world, in this room. Nothing against Viktor. But that rule needs to change by the next Ryder Cup.”
Mike Jones29 September 2025 09:42
Rory McIlroy responds to ‘unacceptable’ Ryder Cup abuse as wife hit by beer
And a video surfaced online of McIlroy consoling his wife and wiping the top of her hat with Luke Donald hitting out at American fans for “crossing a line”.
Mike Jones29 September 2025 09:37
Europe rise above vile American abuse to win the battle of sporting cultures at Ryder Cup
In the end, it was probably the only thing the European fans got wrong all day.
“We can see you sneaking out” they sang gleefully at the few remaining American supporters rapidly exiting the golf course, but the reality was that most of them were already long gone, crammed in on the Long Island Railroad or inching incredibly slowly away from Bethpage Black along Long Island’s snarled and gridlocked streets.
As things go, it was a tiny factual blemish on a gargantuan, joyous day for those who had made the trip to New York to take in golf’s finest biennial jamboree.
Ed Malyon at Bethpage Black29 September 2025 09:35
Keegan Bradley says blame for Ryder Cup defeat lies with him
United States captain Keegan Bradley took full responsibility for his side’s Ryder Cup defeat as their spirited fightback on the final day fell just short.
Europe won the Ryder Cup again with a score of 15-13 in New York but managed to take a full point in just one of their singles matches.
“The Europeans won one match today. You think about the odds of something like that happening, just on a coin flip would be incredible,” Bradley said.
“When you go out in sports and you’re battling your butt off to win, it just shows you just how proud these guys are and how much they want this and how much this means to them.
“To go out there today and do what they did is close to a miracle. This is no one’s fault but mine.
“When you are the leader of the team and you’re the coach, the captain, whatever you want to call it, and you lose, you have to take the blame.
“This is no one else’s fault.”
(Getty Images)
Mike Jones29 September 2025 09:27