Sunday at the Ryder Cup fell just short of being one of the best in the history of the competition, as the USA produced a superb fightback.
The USA trailed Europe 11.5-4.5 going into the Sunday singles session at Bethpage Black, having been dominated on the first two days of action.
There was little hope for Keegan Bradley and his players, but they rapidly closed the gap on their rivals with a remarkable recovery on Ryder Cup Sunday.
Ultimately the home side lost 15-13, with the damage having been done by Team Europe in Friday and Saturday’s foursomes and four-balls.
Bradley failed to match Luke Donald in New York, and it remains to be seen if he will have the chance for revenge at Adare Manor in 2027.
Sunday’s Ryder Cup TV viewing figures confirmed
Focus has already turned to the next Ryder Cup, but one significant aspect of the latest edition has now come to light.
As shared by Josh Carpenter of Sports Business Journal on X, Sunday averaged 3.22million viewers on NBC.
In comparison, that figure was 3.51million when the Ryder Cup was last staged in the United States, when the home side won at Whistling Straits in 2021.
The action peaked at 5.3million between 5-5.15pm, but it represents the least viewed American Ryder Cup Sunday going back to before 2000.
Team Europe leave Bethpage Black with last laugh over the USA
The figures certainly don’t bode well for those concerned, with many TV fans perhaps having been put off by Europe’s commanding lead going into Sunday.
To rub salt into the wounds, the tournament helped Sky Sports generate its most-watched weekend, with 8.8million viewers tuning in.
The huge gap between the two sides will have certainly played a part in both scenarios, with American fans left disappointed while European fans were thrilled.
Many actually in attendance at Bethpage Black meanwhile stole the spotlight in a negative manner with the abuse Rory McIlroy received, and he certainly wasn’t the only one.
McIlroy has hit back at his critics from the week, while his side clearly left New York with the last laugh over their hosts.
The USA now have a huge challenge in claiming their first Ryder Cup win since 2021, which represented a much brighter time for American golf.
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