[PHOTO: Carl Recine]
Despite trailing 2 down late to Russell Henley and despite all the momentum on the American side, Shane Lowry dug about as deep as a human could dig to earn a half point in his match, ultimately retaining the Ryder Cup for Europe.
RELATED: A frenetic final day delivered more than seemed possible
Here was Lowry’s final putt, and the ensuing celebration that had the Irishman out of breath in his post-match interview:
SHANE LOWRY COMES UP CLUTCH TO RETAIN THE RYDER CUP! #TeamEurope | #OurTimeOurPlace pic.twitter.com/Q6LKpWr0aQ
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 28, 2025
With the match all tied after 12 holes, Henley won the 13th and 14th to take a 2 up lead, putting another red flag up on the board for all to see. Team Europe was beginning to feel the heat, as the US team’s cute little comeback attempt from seven points down to start the day was starting to get a bit real.
That’s when Lowry went on hero mode, hitting his 174-yard approach at the par-4 15th to three feet. That cut Henley’s lead to just 1 up, and Lowry threw another dart at 16. Henley was able to birdie, too, though, halving the hole.
After halving 17 with pars, Lowry hit the 18th fairway off the tee while Henley found some trouble down the left side in a fairway bunker. His approach was an impressive one, 10 feet left of the hole. But Lowry outdid him by hitting his to six feet.
Henley then inexcusably left his birdie putt short, setting the stage for Lowry to claim a half point that got Europe to 14, which was all they needed to “retain the cup”. They were able to get another full point out of the final few matches for a final score of 15-13.
Lowry could barely speak afterwards.
https://twitter.com/RyderCupEurope/status/1972414591780200669
“That was the hardest couple of hours of my whole life,” Lowry said. “I just can’t believe that putt went in. I just stood over it going, this is it.
“I said to Darren [Lowry’s caddie Darren Reynolds] coming up 18, I have a chance to do the coolest thing in my life here, and, like, the Ryder Cup means everything to me. Honestly, I won The Open in Ireland and it’s amazing and it’s a dream come true, but the Ryder Cup for me, is everything.”
Lowry finished the week with a 1-0-2 record on the week and has now helped Europe win the last two Ryder Cups after being a part of a losing team in his debut in 2021. That, paired with a claret jug, is a helluva career, one that’s still far from over.
