Credit: BBC Sport

Where do we start? Europe won the Ryder Cup in sensational fashion; losing the opening three points before putting together 8 consecutive points, including a first-ever Friday afternoon whitewash, and seeing it out in the Sunday Singles for a final score of 17 ½ - 10 ½.

Moliwood

USA’s scarily talented team looked destined to live up to the hype as they raced to an early 0-3 lead. Up step Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood. The Moliwood bromance won the hearts and minds of every golf fan across Europe… Along with all four of their matches. Molinari would go on to become the first European ever to go 5-0-0 by defeating Phil Mickelson 4&2 for the title-clinching point.

Their contrasting personalities were clear for all to see as rookie Fleetwood led the celebrations with crowd-surfing and Icelandic Thunder Claps. Meanwhile, a beer-soaked Molinari’s composed interviews were drowned out by thousands of fans singing his name. Still, the Italian remained the most down-to-earth man in the continent. Opposites really do attract!

Sergio the Record-Breaker

Sergio Garcia not only justified Thomas Bjorn’s wildcard pick (as they all did), but he also overtook Nick Faldo as Europe’s all-time point scorer with 25 ½ points. He insisted his only interest was in a team win, but everybody (perhaps barring Faldo) was happy to see him grab a well-deserved piece of history.

Wonderful Wildcards

Europe's wildcards combined for 9 ½ points, whilst Tony Finau (2) was the only one of USA’s wildcards to pick up a single point, with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson & Bryson DeChambeau going pointless.

Consistent Casey, “Iceman” Stenson, record-breaker Sergio and Ian “The Postman” Poulter were simply sensational.

Captain Calamity

Patrick Reed beat Tyrrell Hatton in his Sunday Singles match. It was the only point won between him and partner Tiger Woods over the entire week. Reed still “shushed” the European crowd, despite the fact that America had already officially lost. Of course, nobody shushed; they laughed.

Even in serious competition, it’s nice to see opposing fans brought together, and a mutual dislike of Patrick Reed did exactly that for Europe & USA.

Celebrations

Captain Bjorn’s calming influence was clear for all to see. As Europe totted up the points we saw several memorable joyful outbursts- most notably from Fleetwood- but it was mostly passionate outbursts rather than playing up to the crowds. That was until things were wrapped up, of course.

The rookies led the way. Jon Rahm went wild after sinking his winning putt against Tiger, Fleetwood took his Jesus look-alikeness to a whole new level by floating across the crowds and Poulter dressed as a post box after delivering once again.

Thank you & congratulations, Team Europe!

Written by Joe Carabini

joe.carabini@foremostgolf.com