{"id":292847,"date":"2023-10-02T21:38:05","date_gmt":"2023-10-02T21:38:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports-life-news.com\/?p=292847"},"modified":"2023-10-02T21:38:05","modified_gmt":"2023-10-02T21:38:05","slug":"europe-captain-luke-donald-hails-amazing-journey-after-ryder-cup-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports-life-news.com\/golf\/europe-captain-luke-donald-hails-amazing-journey-after-ryder-cup-win\/","title":{"rendered":"Europe captain Luke Donald hails 'amazing journey' after Ryder Cup win"},"content":{"rendered":"
Luke Donald spoke of the ‘amazing journey’ his Europe team have been on in an emotional interview after their victory at the Ryder Cup in Rome.<\/p>\n
Europe won 16-5-11.5\u00a0after producing a dominant opening set of singles performances on Sunday, with\u00a0Rory McIlroy impressing after his feud with Patrick Cantlay’s caddie on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Donald’s side enacted revenge on their harrowing Whistling Straits defeat two-years ago to thrash an American team who constantly found themselves trying to regain ground throughout the competition.<\/p>\n
Speaking after the win was secured, Donald told Sky Sports:\u00a0‘I am pretty emotional. It’s been a long process, an amazing journey and I have really enjoyed this one.’<\/p>\n
Europe, who needed just four points in the final session, started well with the likes of Viktor Hovland and John Rahm winning their games.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Luke Donald hailed team Europe’s ‘amazing journey’ after winning the Ryder Cup in Rome<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The home side won 16.5-11.5 after a dramatic final day at the\u00a0Marco Simone Golf Club<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Tommy Fleetowood secured the Cup-winning half-point in his singles match against Rickie Fowler<\/p>\n
America did threaten to fightback, though, with Cantlay shining in a 2&1 win over Justin Rose as the visitors rose to seven competition points, but they still needed seven more to seal what would have been an astonishing victory.<\/p>\n
Just two-and-a-half more points were needed for the hosts and McIlroy ensured he would be there to help Europe snatch victory with a sensational round against Sam Burns.<\/p>\n
The visitors again threatened a fightback with late wins for\u00a0Xander Schauffele and\u00a0Brooks Koepka, but Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood held on to win the Cup-deciding points.<\/p>\n
Donald admitted his side were run closer than he would have liked on the final day, as he continued:\u00a0‘It was stressful as the US put up a fight today so hats off to them.<\/p>\n
‘But I am so proud of my 12 guys. We formed a bond from day one and they gave me everything. They trusted me and they delivered for me.<\/p>\n
‘We started off great, which was what we needed. Then a few matches changed to red. We kept looking at the board and thinking, where will we find 14 and a half points?<\/p>\n
‘But we always had some guys at the back that looked good so it’s not going to be quite as close as I thought it might be. I can’t even speak.’<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Rory McIlroy was excellent on the final day\u00a0after his feud with Patrick Cantlay’s caddie on Saturday<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Cantlay impressed as he beat Justin Rose, but America’s threatened comeback never materialised<\/p>\n