Memorable Ryder Cup: Europe initially in record-breaking form but then holding on nervously to the finish.

+++ Team Europe defends the Ryder Cup with an 15-13 away victory +++ Record lead for the Europeans after two days +++ USA narrowly misses historic comeback +++ Luke Donald (ENG) remains unbeaten as both player and captain +++ Worldwide Partner BMW delivers fan experiences, a large shuttle fleet, and exclusive live broadcasts in BMW vehicles +++

New York/Munich. The 45th Ryder Cup on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park near New York will be remembered for a long time. Since 1927, the enthralling team duel between the best golfers from the USA and Europe has written countless legendary stories. With their 15-13 victory on foreign soil, the defending champions added another stunning chapter. On Saturday, the Europeans achieved the largest lead (11.5-4.5) any team has held after two days since Europe began competing against the USA in 1979. In Sunday’s singles matches, the Americans nearly overturned what seemed like an insurmountable deficit, before Shane Lowry (IRL) delivered the decisive half-point on the way to the fifth away victory for Team Europe since 1979.

Captain Luke Donald (ENG) continued to maintain his flawless Ryder Cup record. As a player, the former world number one won the Ryder Cup trophy in all four of his appearances (2004, 2006, 2010, and 2012). Now, as a captain, he has two triumphs to his name. Two years ago, Donald also led Team Europe to victory. Just as in Rome, Team Europe impressed in the heated atmosphere of Bethpage Black with a consistently strong team performance, hitting the ground running from the very start. The Europeans won all four foursome sessions on Friday and Saturday – a remarkable first as no team had ever even claimed the first three sessions before.

Just when everything seemed to point to a landslide victory for the visitors, the tide turned dramatically on Sunday. The U.S. team took the lead in one singles match after another, and a sporting miracle suddenly seemed within reach. By the end of Sunday, Europe would win only a single match (Ludvig Åberg, SWE, against Patrick Cantlay) but still manage to hold on to their lead. It was Shane Lowry who ultimately secured the throphy by winning the 18th hole in his match against Russell Henley, earning the crucial half-point that brought the European team to 14 points – enough to retain the trophy as defending champions.

One of the most spectacular holes on Bethpage Black is the 14th, a short par 3 where numerous breathtaking shots and decisive moments unfolded over the last three days. BMW customers and guests had the privilege of witnessing this up close from the BMW House, which featured its own grandstand directly behind the tee. The 14th tee also served as the perfect stage for the new BMW iX3, the first series-produced Neue Klasse model. The new-generation BMW iX3 is a fully electric Sports Activity Vehicle that gives customers their first on-the-road taste of a whole new era of Sheer Driving Pleasure.

BMW supported the smooth execution of the 45th Ryder Cup with a fleet of over 200 vehicles, ensuring safe transportation for members of the golf and event teams as well as BMW guests to and from the venue. Like BMW customers in many countries, they enjoyed the exclusive opportunity to follow the Ryder Cup live from inside their vehicles.