IT’S OVER: Europe Dominates Again

By

For a brief period on Sunday morning, it appeared the American Ryder Cup team had a window of hope. Justin Thomas had defeated Rory McIlroy, Webb Simpson upset Justin Rose and Tony Finau stopped the freight train that is Tommy Fleetwood. That window was promptly shut, however, thanks to Jon Rahm, Ian Poulter, and Francesco Molinari, all three turning toss-ups into resounding victories in a matter of minutes. In fact, Molinari probably notched another point by the time this sentence is complete.

The Sunday score board, as it has been on Friday afternoon and most of Saturday, was washed in a sea of blue and yellow, the final winning margin – Europe 17.5, United States 10.5 – somehow not conveying how bad the beating really was. When the US returns to Italy in 2022, they will be looking for its first win overseas in nearly three decades.

From Molinari’s performance to the no-shows of American stars, here is what you missed from the final day of the 2018 Ryder Cup.

For a brief period on Sunday morning, it appeared the American Ryder Cup team had a window of hope. Justin Thomas had defeated Rory McIlroy, Webb Simpson upset Justin Rose and Tony Finau stopped the freight train that is Tommy Fleetwood. That window was promptly shut, however, thanks to Jon Rahm, Ian Poulter, and Francesco Molinari, all three turning toss-ups into resounding victories in a matter of minutes. In fact, Molinari probably notched another point by the time this sentence is complete.

The Sunday score board, as it has been on Friday afternoon and most of Saturday, was washed in a sea of blue and yellow, the final winning margin – Europe 17.5, United States 10.5 – somehow not conveying how bad the beating really was. When the US returns to Italy in 2022, they will be looking for its first win overseas in nearly three decades.

From Molinari’s performance to the no-shows of American stars, here is what you missed from the final day of the 2018 Ryder Cup.

Most mind-boggling stat: Jordan Spieth

Spieth has three Majors, almost won two more this season and has already been a part of six US teams at the age of 25. His performance – rather, the lack thereof – during singles play, however, continues to astound. Playing against Thorbjorn Olesen, who appeared in just one previous match, Spieth was wiped off the property to the tune of 5&4. That dropped Spieth’s career record in singles play to 0-6. Spieth did contribute three points this week along with Thomas, but for the US to recapture the cup in 2020, it will need Spieth to show up on Sunday. – JB

Most emblematic shot of the week: Phil Mickelson’s water ball

There were plenty of shots that underscored American futility this week, but none were as telling as the shot that clinched the win for Europe. Three down with three holes to play against Francesco Molinari, Phil Mickelson needed to put his tee shot close on the par 3 to have any chance of keeping his match alive. Instead his tee shot landed in the middle of the pond, forcing the American veteran – winless this week – to concede the match on the tee. – Sam Weinman

Second most emblematic shot of the week: Alex Noren’s closing birdie

And just to pour salt into the proverbial open wound, consider how this whole thing ended. With the outcome of the Ryder Cup long decided, Bryson DeChambeau appeared on his way to at least halving his final match against Alex Noren. Instead Noren rolled in a birdie putt from forever away to win the match outright, prompting another European celebration, and leaving the Americans even more dumbfounded than ever. – SW

Biggest loser: The Tiger Woods-Phil Mickelson Thanksgiving “Match”

It was already becoming problematic with Mickelson’s second-half struggles. That the Hall of Famers went 0-for-6 in France won’t alleviate those worries. Perhaps a shot of life will be injected closer to the event, but in the moment, any hype rings hollow. – JB