Rory McIlroy, as Europe's highest-ranked player, standard-bearer and spokesman, was undoubtedly targeted the most by American fans at Bethpage Black.

McIlroy and playing partner Shane Lowry received crude barbs - related to romantic relationships and their appearance - as well as the home fans ignoring golfing etiquette by shouting out as they were about to hit their ball.

It all came to a head on Saturday, as Europe went about building what proved to be an unassailable seven-point lead.

Lowry had to be restrained from confronting a fan on the 10th tee. McIlroy, who was forced to back away from shots and eventually snapped, swearing at a fan, described the whole experience as a "really challenging day".

"What I consider crossing the line is personal insults and making sounds when they are trying to hit on their backswings or very close to when they are trying to go into their routines," said European captain Luke Donald.

"That did happen a little bit. It's happened at other Ryder Cups.

"It's something we prepared for and I can see how well [McIlroy and Lowry] have dealt with it."

The pair eventually sealed a two-hole victory over Cameron Young and Justin Thomas in Saturday's fourballs to push Europe towards their ultimate goal.

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

The United States' fightback, Shane Lowry's nerve-shredding putt to retain the Ryder Cup, Luke Donald's masterful leadership of the European team - these were all deserved headlines on a momentous final day at Bethpage Black.

But it's safe to say that the majority of messages we have received this morning have centred on the hostile atmosphere Europe's players and their families had to endure in New York.

The European players eventually got their moment to celebrate, letting their emotions flood out on the 18th green.

But many, especially a tearful Rory McIlroy, looked punch drunk - beaten down by the intensity of competition in a cauldron of insults and bad behaviour that, for many, overshadowed what should have been the pinnacle of golfing theatre.

Image source, Getty Images

Iain Carter
BBC golf correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live at Bethpage Black

Luke Donald stepped in for Henrik Stenson two years ago and suddenly, given that opportunity, he showed us how great he could be.

I personally would be surprised if he goes for a third term. I think this is the moment to bow out. He'll bow out a legend.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

So what has Europe captain Luke Donald had to say?

He batted away questions about whether he would stay on as captain, instead choosing to focus on the success his team achieved and the fightback shown by their opponents on Sunday.

Donald told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It almost hasn't sunk in yet, the way things turned out the last few hours. [United States captain] Keegan [Bradley] - I've got to give them so much credit for how hard they fought. They had a lot of support behind them and they made it very difficult, but I'm glad we got it over the line.

"It was so nerve-wracking, the most nerve-wracking I've ever been on a golf course, and I wasn't hitting a shot. I can't imagine what these guys felt, but they got it done."

Image source, Getty Images

Luke Donald was even praised by Keegan Bradley had glowing praise for his good friend and opposite number Luke Donald after he completed the home and away double as European captain.

"Well, I mean, he won home and away, and he won a Ryder Cup in New York in Bethpage," said Bradley.

"I think Luke, he's an incredible leader. He's really quiet, and I think he was able to kind of come out of his shell, I guess, a little in these Ryder Cup years.

"I think he turned this European team into a really unstoppable force, especially the first two days, and you know, in my eyes, I think he's the best European Ryder Cup captain ever. I was really excited to go up against him, but I knew it was going to be tough to beat him.

"He put his team in the best position to win, and to do that at these two places is a remarkable feat."

Image source, Getty Images

Spaniard Jon Rahm joined the throng of people calling for Luke Donald to stay on as a captain: "Luke [Donald] has set the bar for captaincy so extremely high. What he's done these four years of being a part of, is absolutely astonishing.

"He has been so professional, so dedicated, so incredibly meticulous and well organised, doing everything that he needs to do - that's why you've seen the two performances you've seen from us.

"He's the leader of the ship and he's definitely led us the right way. The only thing left to say, I think from all of us. is two more years."

Only 37 European players have tasted victory away from home before this week.

Now there are 47 names on that list, with Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose having featured in Europe's last win at Medinah in 2012.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Luke Donald has won a Ryder Cup at home and away, he's loved by every member of his team and the vast majority of them you'd think will be back in 2027 for the next one at Adare Manor in Ireland.

The players repeatedly chanted "two more years" in their press conference at Bethpage Black but Donald merely said "I'm going to enjoy tonight first".

He did not give a definite "no" though when repeatedly asked about continuing in the role, so maybe Donald could try to match Tony Jacklin's amazing achievement of winning a hat-trick of Ryder Cup victories as captain?

Jacklin was in charge of four straight European sides, winning in 1985 and 1987 before a 14-14 draw saw Europe retain the trophy at the Belfry in 1989.

And it seems nobody would argue if Donald was to be given the captaincy again.

Craig Nelson
BBC Sport reporter

A bit to unpick there from Mark.

Firstly, booing players on the first tee was certainly not a good look, but definitely not the worst thing the European players had to endure during their three days at Bethpage Black.

We will unpick the fallout from the unseemly fan behaviour they were subjected to, once we have summed up the key moments that took place INSIDE the ropes.

Secondly, two more years is a key phrase referring to the clamour for Luke Donald to commit to a third stint as European captain.

Will he bow to that pressure? More on that coming up next...

Image source, Getty Images

Europe captain Luke Donald's love affair with the Ryder Cup was underlined in New York, when he cemented his place in the history books.

As a leader, it started when he masterminded the 'Romp in Rome' in 2023, when Europe completed a 16½-11½ win over the United States.

The Englishman had already won all four Ryder Cups he played in.

At Bethpage Black, the 47-year-old become the second captain, after Tony Jacklin in 1985 and 1987, to lead the side to home and away victories.

He is the only man to win home and away as a player as well.

Peter Scrivener
BBC Sport senior journalist at Bethpage

Image source, Getty Images

Tyrrell Hatton, playing in match 10, finally got Europe to the magic 14½ points mark as they became the fifth European side to win an away match - and the first since 2012.

It was fitting that the Englishman should secure the winning point given he was one of two undefeated players this week.

The other was Shane Lowry, who holed the putt to take Europe to 14 points and ensure they would at least retain the trophy.

It is a triumph that cements captain Luke Donald's status as a bona fide Ryder Cup legend...

Tom pointing to the host of the next Ryder Cup in 2027 - Adare Manor in County Limerick. A most fitting destination after Irishman Shane Lowry's heroics...

Image source, BBC Sport

The fact that it came down to Shane Lowry to retain the Ryder Cup for Europe, and then later to England's Tyrrell Hatton - Europe's 10th man out in Sunday's singles - to earn the half point they needed to win the 45th Ryder Cup outright, says a lot about the fightback the American team mounted on Sunday.

In the end, there was just the one singles win for Europe - Ludvig Aberg over Patrick Cantlay.

It was the lowest total points haul in the singles since 1957 and almost led to the USA pulling off something incredible.

The 8.5 points won by the USA is the joint-most won in singles since Europe joined in 1979 - it's now happened five times but it's the first time the team dominating the singles hasn't won the Ryder Cup.

Teams to win 8.5 singles points:

• 1979 USA
• 1999 USA
• 2006 Europe
• 2012 Europe
• 2025 USA

Shane Lowry on his now famous putt to retain the Ryder Cup:

"Yes, I was nervous but I felt like this is where I belong and look, this is like - I've experienced some amazing things but this is like, God, I can't believe it. It's something that I'll remember forever.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

"This is the best team in the world. I don't care what anyone says. This is the best tournament in the world. This is the only thing I want to do for the rest of my life.

"You think back to the Irish greats in the game, they have all holed putts to win the Ryder Cup and I got my moment today. It's the best ever, yeah. My dad, he'll drink a few beers tonight. He'll be really happy."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

If you missed Sunday's action then let's start with the moment Europe sealed the half point they needed to reach 14 - the mark, as defending champions, that ensured they retained the Ryder Cup.

As the eighth player out, Shane Lowry admitted after holing his putt on the 18th green to end all square with Russell Henley that he never anticipated it to fall on his shoulders.

The proud Irishman told BBC Radio 5 Live that he was shaking as he stood over the five-footer.

Well, you would be, wouldn't you?

It was very hard to process Sunday's Ryder Cup singles action as the drama unfolded.

So stick with us as we unpick the story of the day - and the weekend - for you.

In return, we want to hear your Ryder Cup experiences:

• How you "enjoyed" Europe's landmark win
• The rollercoaster of emotions during Sunday's singles
• And that explosion of delight when the job was finally done.

Where does this rank in the history of sporting achievements?

Just click on the Get Involved button at the top of this page to have your say.