Europe’s finest golfers, sparked by a record-setting victory for Italy’s Francesco Molinari, recaptured the Ryder Cup on Sunday, denying a dramatic United States fightback to complete an emotional 17.5-10.5 upset victory.
Reigning British Open champion Molinari defeated five-time major winner Phil Mickelson 4 and 2 as Europe took an insurmountable edge over the favoured Americans in the biennial team showdown at Le Golf National.
Here, we rate the 12 players from the winning team.
Paul Casey
Played: 3. W: 1 L: 1 H: 1. Points 1.5
Tommy Fleetwood
P: 5 W: 4 L: 1 H: 0. Pts 4
Partnership with Francesco Molinari was the cornerstone for Europe’s win, winning four points from four matches. Took its toll in the singles and it was a shame he lost that winning record. 9
Sergio Garcia
P: 4 W: 3 L: 1 H: 0. Pts 3
Marshalled rookie Alex Noren superbly in their opening match in Friday’s foursomes and led from the front in Saturday’s fourballs. Was ahead from the first hole in singles and his history-making point was a deserved reward for a Ryder Cup giant. 8
Tyrrell Hatton
P: 3 W: 1: L: 2 H: 0. Pts 1
Baptism of fire against United States’ top pair of Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth on Friday morning but did not disgrace himself. Reunited with Casey to win on Saturday morning but did not play his best golf. 6
Rory McIlroy
P: 5 W: 2 L: 3 H: 0. Pts 2
Struggled with his game, particularly putting, and was out of sorts on Friday morning but bounced back in the afternoon and performed well with Garcia in Saturday’s fourballs. However, he looked spent after lunch and despite keeping a bogey off his card for 17 holes of singles golf messed up the last.6
Francesco Molinari
P: 5: W: 5 L: 0 H: 0. Pts 5
The Open champion backed up his recently-acquired major status with a majestic performance. His trademark consistency, with the occasional flash of brilliance, saw him become the first European to win all five points. and he was superb with Fleetwood. 10
Alex Noren
P: 3 W: 2 L: 1. H: 0. Pts 2
The quiet man of the team was almost forgotten in the wild celebrations following confirmation of Europe’s win, but long after the result was decided he showed his professionalism by holing a superb pressure putt on the last for a satisfying singles point. 7
Thorbjorn Olesen
P: 2. W: 1 L: 1 H: 0. Pts 1
Forgotten man of the team, was benched for three sessions after Friday fourballs defeat alongside McIlroy. However, showed up on Sunday with the most stunning win of the week, dispatching Spieth 5&4. 7
Ian Poulter
P: 4: W: 2 L: 2 H: 0. Pts 2
Not the influential contribution of the past but saw off world number one Dustin Johnson with three birdies in his last five holes. 7
Jon Rahm
P3: W: 1 L: 2 H: 0. Pts 1
The rookie struggled over the first two days but his point in the singles after holding off Tiger Woods, having never been behind in the match, was psychologically important at a time when USA’s challenge was gaining momentum. 7
Justin Rose
P: 4: W: 2: L: 2 H: 0. Pts 2
His reunion with Henrik Stenson in foursomes was a successful but he just could not get going on Sunday and suffered a disappointing defeat to Webb Simpson. 7
Henrik Stenson
P: 3 W: 3 L: 0 H: 0. Pts 3
Unerring consistency from the Swede, a captain’s pick for his experience, who dovetailed brilliantly again with Rose. Demolished Bubba Watson 5&4 in a ruthless singles performance. 9
