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Europe captain Luke Donald backed his Ryder Cup winners to have more success in the event after wresting back the trophy from the United States with a 16.5-11.5 victory in Rome.<\/p>\n
For a large part of the build-up the Americans were strong favourites, with 10 of their 12-strong team ranked in the world\u2019s top 20, but some of Europe\u2019s players found some late-season form and it proved pivotal at Marco Simone.<\/p>\n
World number two Rory McIlroy claimed four points from five matches, Viktor Hovland \u2013 partnering brilliantly with rookie Ludvig Aberg who claimed two from four \u2013 and Tyrrell Hatton both got three-and-a-half and another rookie, Robert MacIntyre, picked up two-and-a-half from just three matches.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Cx3gyS1Iq8N<\/p>\n
McIlroy is the oldest at 34 and Hatton is 31, but Hovland is 26, Aberg is 23 and MacIntyre is 27.<\/p>\n
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\u201cNot many people gave us a chance after Whistling Straits. We were big underdogs, we started to show some form in the last six months and I couldn\u2019t be happier with with the team I\u2019ve got,\u201d said Donald, whom the players want to lead the team in two years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think these guys will be around for a long time. We formed a bond from day one and they gave me everything. They trusted me and they delivered for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
After an emotional defeat in the United States two years ago, in which he won just one point, McIlroy was delighted to have wrested back the trophy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe scoreline \u2013 19-9, that hurt, it really did. I didn\u2019t feel like I gave my best performance and I didn\u2019t feel like I did my part for the team,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis wasn\u2019t about revenge. This was about redemption and showing what we could do.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Northern Irishman now wants to build on the triumph and win in the US in 2025.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think one of the biggest accomplishments in golf right now is winning an away Ryder Cup \u2013 and that\u2019s what we\u2019re going to do at Bethpage,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Defeat extended America\u2019s run without a win on European soil beyond 30 years \u2013 it will be 34 by the time they return to Adare Manor in 2027 \u2013 and captain Zach Johnson took full responsibility.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would love to start the week over but that\u2019s not possible,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, regret is a strong word, but I wish I would have done a better job of that.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI don\u2019t know what it looks like \u2013 never will \u2013 but it\u2019s not a matter of anything other than Team Europe scored more points.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m proud of my guys, they fought. It\u2019s not them, it\u2019s on me. Maybe it\u2019s some poor decisions, something to reflect (on). I don\u2019t know yet.\u201d<\/p>\n