Scottie Scheffler recorded his first Ryder Cup win since 2021 as the U.S. rallied for a historic comeback at Bethpage Black. However, Scheffler’s victory ended in vain as Europe held on to secure the first away-team victory since 2012, sealing the trophy on hostile American soil.
How Scheffler Earned First Ryder Cup Win Since 2021
Team USA faced an uphill task to reclaim the tournament as Europe looked like they were running away with it. However, a strong performance from Keegan Bradley’s men on Sunday gave them unlikely hope of an incredible comeback.
Scottie Scheffler lost his first four matches at Bethpage Black, but he fought back on Sunday to beat Rory McIlroy 1-up, giving Team USA hope of a comeback. He started the singles poorly, missing a short putt on the first hole and chunking a pitch on the second. McIlroy grabbed the early lead, but Scheffler struck back with a birdie on the par-5 fourth to level the match. The two traded blows until the turn, when the contest came alive.
On the 10th tee, McIlroy stopped his swing to point out a fan in the crowd after more heckling. He then hooked his drive into a bunker and pulled his recovery shot into the gallery. His mistakes led to a double-bogey six, and Scheffler won the hole with a bogey.
McIlroy responded immediately, draining a 35-foot birdie on the 11th to even things again. He showed grit on the 13th, saving par from a tricky position to halve the hole. But on the par-3 14th, he failed to reach the green, and Scheffler’s par pushed him back in front.
McIlroy refused to give in, rolling in another 35-foot birdie at the 15th to stay alive. Scheffler, though, shut the door by grinding out four straight pars to the finish. McIlroy couldn’t find another birdie, and Scheffler walked away with a vital win for the Americans.
Things Didn’t Go As Scheffler Anticipated
“To keep fighting. I battled really hard yesterday and the first day. Things just did not work out the way I anticipated,” the world No. 1 said in his post-match media rounds. “But I was proud to get a point today. It’s tough. Playing all five matches was a grind. Rory and I even chatted about that today. It was a grind, but I’m proud of the fight our team showed. Keegan did a good job putting us in position, keeping the energy up, and motivating the guys to come out and play,” he said.
Team Europe, led by captain Luke Donald, had built a commanding lead over the first two days and withstood an intense American surge in Sunday’s singles. Europe managed to earn the crucial points they needed, and their victory marked the first time since 2012 at Medinah that the Ryder Cup was won by an away team.
Main Photo Credit: © Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
