Ryder Cup's biggest comebacks and largest wins as Team USA face uphill battle
American Team Captain Keegan Bradley evoked his New England Patriots' 2017 Super Bowl win as his side aim to overturn a seven-point deficit on the final day at Bethpage Black
Team Europe will chase a record Ryder Cup win on Sunday after an extraordinary day of bedlam in the bearpit of Bethpage Black. And Keegan Bradley’s side need the biggest comeback in history to stop the first away win since the Miracle in Medinah in 2012.
Luke Donald’s men became the first team ever to win the first four sessions on foreign soil after winning the Saturday afternoon fourballs 3-1. Europe lead 11.5 to 4.5 - the biggest lead in the modern era - after another day of domination and need only 2.5 points to retain the trophy won in Rome.
Europe’s record win is 18.5 to 9.5 achieved in 2004 and 2006. But the biggest win since 1979 - when Continental Europe joined GB and Ireland - was the USA’s 19-9 win in 2021.
Donald said, "I didn't really imagine this. Obviously their job is not done yet but to have this stand in New York with most of the cheers coming from our side is incredible. Just the resiliency and the confidence these guys have in themselves, in their partners, is really, truly incredible.
'We are trying to get to 14 1/2 first and hopefully we can add on to that, too. The job is never done till it's done. So I'm not going to sit here and be complacent. I know how strong the U.S. or. They will have plenty of fight in them. They had plenty of fight today. Our guys had a lot, too, though."
Teams have twice come back from trailing 10-6 going into the singles. America won the Battle of Brookline in 1999 while Europe overturned the same deficit in the Miracle of Medinah in 2012.
But no side has ever overcome a seven-point lead. Steve Stricker’s side led 11-5 going into the final day at Whistling Straits in 2021. But US captain and New England Patriots fan Keegan Bradley evoked the greatest Super Bowl comeback in history to give American hope.
In 2017, the Pats came back from 28-3 down to beat the Atlanta Falcons in overtime.
“I was at that Super Bowl,” said the world No.13. I watched it. What a cool thing to have witnessed live in person.”
The away lead is even more remarkable given that European players repeatedly clashed with abusive home fans - including Rory McIlroy - and police deployed dogs on the course as fans were ejected in a nasty atmosphere.
And Justin Rose and Tommy Fleeetwood had a heated exchange with Bryson DeChambeau and his caddie Greg Bodine during their crushing win.
The US captain said, "We've got passionate fans out here. Their fans are loud, too. You can hear them right now. It's an honour to play in front of the New York fans."
The biggest margin of victory ever came in 1967 when the USA beat Great Britain 23.5-8.5.