Team Europe beat USA to win golf's Ryder Cup

Team Europe held off a dramatic Team USA fightback to win golf's Ryder Cup in New York.

The hosts had been trailing by seven points going into Sunday's play before starting to claw back the points on the final day.

However, in a nail-biting finish, America's Russell Henley missed his putt on the 18th hole, while Ireland's Shane Lowry sank his to make sure Europe retained the trophy, with the final score 15 to 13.

It was Team Europe's first away win in thirteen years and only the fifth time in history that the European side had taken victory on American soil.

What happened on the final day of the Ryder Cup?

Europe's Shane Lowry was celebrating his winning putt

Team Europe had led by seven points before Sunday's singles - with the score at 11½-4½.

No side had ever come from more than four points behind to win, so it was a big challenge for Team USA.

Team Europe - as defending champions - needed to get to at least 14 points to tie the competition and keep hold of the trophy.

But Team USA began to fight back and won five of the top seven matches to start closing the gap.

All of a sudden it was anyone's game and the tournament came down to the 18th hole in a match between Team USA's Russell Henley and Ireland's Shane Lowry, representing Team Europe.

Henley missed his putt, while Ireland's Shane Lowry sank his to make sure Europe kept their hands on the trophy.

Team Europe's Tyrell Hatton then secured half a point in his singles match to seal the win, with the final score 15 to 13.

"We knew we could win. We knew it would be difficult, but we got it done," European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald said after his team's victory on Sunday.

What is golf's Ryder Cup?

The Ryder Cup is one of the world's most famous golfing events.

It is played every two years between Europe's and America's top golfers.

The first official Ryder Cup was held in 1927 at the Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts, America.

Back then the competition was between the US and Great Britain, but in 1979 the British team changed to include players from across Europe.

Since then, there have been 23 Ryder Cups, with Team Europe winning 13 times, Team USA victorious on nine occasions and one tie in 1989.

The next Ryder Cup will take place in 2027, at Adare Manor in Ireland.