'I stood over it going 'this is it'' — Emotional Shane Lowry reflects on putt that retained the Ryder Cup

It looked as if the US were closing in on one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history until Lowry rolled in a birdie

HERO: Shane Lowry celebrates by hoisting the Tricolour after his putt to halve the hole and retain the Ryder Cup on the 18th green in Bethpage Black on Sunday. Picture: Harry How/Getty

Shane Lowry found it hard to sum up his emotions after his dramatic putt helped Europe retain the Ryder Cup.

It looked as if the United States of America were closing in on one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history until Lowry rolled in a birdie to ensure he drew his match with Russell Henley to earn his team the half point they needed to reach the magical 14-point mark to retain the title, although Tyrrell Hatton later secured another half a point to seal the victory overall.

After whipping away the tears from his eyes, an emotional Lowry told Sky Sports: “I’ve been so lucky to experience amazing things in this game… that was the hardest couple of hours of my whole life.

“I just can’t believe it; I can’t believe that putt went in. I stood over it going ‘this is it.’ I said it to Darren walking down 18, I said ‘I have the chance to do the coolest thing of my life here.’

EUROPE RETAIN THE RYDER CUP!!!! 🇪🇺🇪🇺🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/TeH4Nu8p2P

— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) September 28, 2025

“The Ryder Cup means everything to me, honestly. 

I won the Open in Ireland. It’s amazing. It was a dream come true. But the Ryder Cup, for me, is everything.

“It was so hard out there. Fair play to the US lads like, we knew they were going to come out fighting but, yeah, I just hope one of the boys can get a half point now so we can get the win. We’ve retained the cup, but we want to win it.

"Luke (Donald) is the greatest captain I think has ever lived. He’s the most amazing man in the world, honestly. He’s done the best job. Honestly, I don’t know what to say."

Asked about how incredible the next Ryder Cup is going to be for him in two years’ time when it will be held at Adare Manor in Limerick, the Offaly native replied: “It will be a little bit nicer than playing here, I know that.”