Legends of the fall

Our writers' verdicts on a magical classic

- 

From Shane Lowry's victory jig to the emergence of a new US star and what to look forward to in 2027, our team's picks from an electrifying weekend at Bethpage Black

Best player

• Tommy Fleetwood. Singles defeat should not mask his overall performance. Surely a major winner in waiting. Ewan Murray

• Other people played more games, made more putts and won more points, but the truth is Europe would have lost this cup if it had not been for the way Shane Lowry played in the big moments on Saturday and Sunday. Andy Bull

• Rory McIlroy. The heartbeat of Europe: relentless from tee to green, clutch on key putts and unflinching under fire. Unbeaten over the first two days amid feral vitriol and hostility. Bryan Armen Graham

• It is impossible not to love Fleetwood. Four points out of five, and a smiling beacon of goodwill amid intense provocation. Scott Murray

Best rookie

• Cameron Young edges out JJ Spaun for his tenacity in seeing off Justin Rose. This set the tone for an almighty US run. The greatest comeback was on. EM

• Young. He carried the US team through the first two days, when he won two of their 4½ points, then led them out in the Sunday singles by defeating Rose in a match that went all the way to the 18th. AB

• Young. The debutant playing in his home state gave the US their spark: fearless off the tee, nerveless on the greens, steady when the din rose highest. A 3-1-0 record and the star of the week for his captain, Keegan Bradley. BAG