FAIRY TALE OF NEW YORK

An incredible final day of nail-biting tension sees the Europeans earn glory after gutsy US fightback

- FROM NEIL MCLEMAN AT BETHPAGE BLACK

INSTEAD of romping to a record win, Europe suffered a nerve-shredding final hour before retaining the Ryder Cup in thrilling style last night.

And after all the big names ran out of steam on Sunday, the crucial points were secured by Ludvig Aberg, Matt Fitzpatrick and Shane Lowry (above, with skipper Luke Donald) to avoid the biggest comeback in the event's compelling history.

Luke Donald’s team had been the first away side to win all four sessions to lead 11.5 to 4.5. And the injury to Viktor Hovland gave both sides a half-point and moved Team Europe to within only two points of retaining the trophy won in Rome.

Before Xander Schauffele won the first hole in the sixth match against Jon Rahm, the leaderboard was all blue.

But this is the Ryder Cup and the unpredictable is to be expected. And by the time all the singles matches reached the turn, only two Europeans were in the lead.