Captain Luke Donald revealed his emotions after Europe swept to Ryder Cup victory.
Europe regained the Ryder Cup at the Marco Simone Golf Club, Rome, with a 16.5-11.5 win over the USA.
Tommy Fleetwood’s 3&1 win over Rickie Fowler ultimately sealed victory on Sunday, one which had looked likely since Europe’s 4-0 whitewash in the foursomes on Friday morning.
Donald said: “Pretty emotional. It’s been a long process, it’s been an amazing journey and I enjoyed this one.
“It was stressful. The US put up a fight today and hats off to them. Unbelievable, but I’m 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.
“It started off great, we got off to great start, we needed some blue on the board early and a few matches changed to red and you kept looking at the board and thinking ‘Where are we going to find 14.5 points?’ but we always had some guys at the back who looked good.”
Asked where it ranked in his career, Donald added: “This is the best. This is why the Ryder Cup is so special to me and these guys because of these moments.
“We play for each other, we get to share in that success together and we get to spend this week together and we will have those memories forever.
“I gave them a good culture to succeed, hopefully I laid out a good plan in how I thought they were going to win and then it was staying out of the way. They had to play well and they did the job, I’m happy they trusted me.
“In historic Rome we made history today.”
Donald believes his team proved the doubters wrong following their 19-9 defeat in America two years ago, saying: “Not many people gave us a chance after Whistling Straits.
“We were big underdogs, we started to show some form in the last six months and I couldn’t be happier with with the team I’ve got and I think these guys will be around for a long time.”
Fleetwood added: “I (feel) relief, pride, joy. I’m proud of everyone who has been involved this week and am proud I am just one of the people who gets to play a role in what we came here to do.
“Luke is amazing. We are all so proud of him. From when this whole process started he has been so good.
“The way he has been this week has been phenomenal and we look at Luke on another level. I’m so pleased we could do it for him.”
Robert MacIntyre closed out a 2&1 victory over Wyndham Clark while Shane Lowry lost the last hole to halve with Jordan Spieth.
Lowry told Sky Sports: “It’s a dream come true for me, it’s something I’ve always wanted to achieve in this game.
“We didn’t get much confidence from Whistling Straits so I’m so proud of my team.
“It’s been the greatest week of my life. I’ve been so lucky to do what I have in the game but the last two hours have been the most stressful two hours of my life.
“Thankfully Tommy did the business and the rest was just a celebration from there.”
Beaten US captain Zach Johnson was in floods of tears after his side’s defeat.
Struggling to get out his words, Johnson told NBC: “I think the Europeans played phenomenal golf. It really is that simple.
“My guys showed true heart and grit, a lot of character. They played for each other and I love them, but hats off to Luke.
“They played great and they were very impressive. I think we got outplayed.
“I’m proud of my guys, they fought. It’s not them, it’s on me. Maybe it’s some poor decisions, something to reflect (on). I don’t know yet.
“I don’t have the brainwaves to function right now. I’ll reflect on this and Team USA will be better off at some point. We will diagnose every little bit of it.
“I’m not making excuses, Europe outplayed us and they earned it.”
Woods still not 'tournament-sharp' as recovery from back surgery continues
Tiger Woods says he is not yet "tournament-sharp" as the 15-time major winner continues his recovery from back surgery.
The 48-year-old underwent his sixth back operation in mid-September, after issues caused pain in his leg that became gradually worse.
Woods has played just five PGA Tour events this calendar year, missing three cuts while withdrawing from the Genesis Invitational through illness.
The former world number one provided an update on his condition at this week's Hero World Challenge, an unofficial event in the Bahamas that he hosts.
"I'm not tournament-sharp yet," Woods told reporters during a news conference. "No, I'm still not there.
"These are 20 of the best players in the world, and I'm not sharp enough to compete against them at this level. When I'm ready to compete and play at this level, then I will. The fire still burns to compete.
"As far as the recovery process of going out there and doing it again and again and again - and doing it consistently at a high level - for some reason, the body just won't recover like it used to. That's part of age and part of an athlete's journey.
"I'm just trying to rehab and still get stronger and better and feel better, and really give myself the best chance I can going into next year."
Woods also believes players receive financial rewards when appearing at the Ryder Cup, but with all money donated to charity.
"The Ryder Cup itself makes so much money, so why can't we allocate it to various charities?" he added.
"And what's wrong with each player - 12 players - getting a million dollars and the ability to divvy out to amazing charities that they're involved in that they can help out?
"It's never really been about getting paid, it's how can we allocate funds to help our sport or help things that we believe in back home. It's so hard to get onto that team; there are only 12 guys. What's wrong with being able to allocate more funds?"
McIlroy nominated for PGA Tour Player of the Year accolade with Scheffler and Schauffele
Rory McIlroy has been nominated for the 2024 PGA Tour Player of the Year award.
The four-time major winner faces competition from Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele for the accolade, having won his sixth Race to Dubai earlier this month.
Voted for by fellow PGA Tour members, the winner will receive the Jack Nicklaus Award.
McIlroy won the DP World Tour's Dubai Desert Classic, DP World Championship, Zurich Classic and Wells Fargo Championship during an impressive year, in which he also recorded seven top-10 finishes and missed just one cut in 19 events.
Meanwhile, Scheffler claimed his second major title at the Masters, as well as winning Olympic gold in Paris and the FedEx Cup.
Compatriot Schauffele won the first two majors of his career at the US PGA Championship and The Open, while not missing a cut in the 22 PGA Tour events he entered.
Samuda and Munn-Barrow triumph at AMG Buccaneer Memorial Golf Tournament
Owen Samuda and Jodi Munn-Barrow emerged as champions of the AMG Buccaneer Memorial Golf Tournament, held at the Caymanas Golf Club in St. Catherine over the weekend. The annual event, one of Jamaica’s most prestigious golf tournaments, saw over 80 golfers competing despite challenges posed by recent weather conditions.
Samuda, who has been enjoying a stellar run of form, dominated the male category with back-to-back rounds of one-under-par 71, finishing with an impressive two-under-par 142. He won by a commanding 13-stroke margin, cementing his reputation as one of the country’s top golfers.
Reflecting on his victory, Samuda shared, “After the disappointment in the Jamaica Open last week, I realized that you can’t drive a car while looking behind you. I came into this tournament with a lot of confidence and positive thoughts. I played really well yesterday, and even better today, so I feel great about the win.”
Samuda’s performance marked the only under-par scores across the tournament. Former national champion Oshae Haye finished second with an 11-over-par 155, while Zandre Roye and Sean Morris tied for third at 14-over-par 158.
In the female category, Jamaica Golf Association President Jodi Munn-Barrow delivered her trademark consistency to claim the Ladies 0-6 title. Munn-Barrow posted scores of 75 on both days, totaling six-over-par 150 to secure her win by a comfortable 21 strokes over Michele McCreath, who finished at 171.
“It was a little more difficult this time,” Munn-Barrow admitted. “I haven’t been playing much because of my involvement with the Jamaica Open, so my game this weekend was scrappy. But I managed to get the ball around, and I’m happy with how I performed despite not being at my best.”
The tournament also featured numerous category winners, including Quentin Hugh-Sam and Philip Gooden, who scored 168 to win the Men & Men Senior 7-12 section. Other winners included Gifford Wilmott (Men & Men Senior 13-24) with a score of 157, and Diane Hudson, who topped the Ladies 13 and over category with a score of 184.
The event, held for the 29th year, is a tribute to seven of Jamaica’s past national golf representatives: Milton "Buddy" Josephs, Izette Rhone, Lenan "Lennie" Chin, John Fulford, Al Chong, Claude Stewart, and Mark Chin. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Lawes Street Trade Training Centre, with the goal of raising JMD$1 million annually.
Peter Chin, president of the Buccaneers Golf Club, praised the event’s resilience despite weather challenges. “This tournament has been running since the 1990s and is the oldest golf tournament outside of the Jamaica Open on the JGA calendar. The course was in great condition considering the rain over the past few weeks,” Chin said.
The AMG Buccaneer Memorial Golf Tournament was sponsored by AMG Packaging, with Scientific & Medical Supplies as an associate sponsor.
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