- Fan dives into lake at Marco Simone Golf Club as victory is assured for Europe
- Other spectators soon joined in as USA’s 30-year winless in Europe continues
- LIVE: Follow Mail Sport’s blog covering all the 2023 Ryder Cup action
One Ryder Cup fan could not contain their excitement after Europe reclaimed the trophy in Rome on Sunday afternoon.
Following Tommy Fleetwood’s 3 & 1 victory over Rickie Fowler in their singles match, victory was guaranteed for Team Europe.
One fan decided to celebrate by diving into a lake on the 16th green at the Marco Simone Golf Club as Europe continued their impressive record on home soil.
Video footage shows that other spectators soon joined in, as Team USA’s 30-year winless run in Europe continued.
Victory for Team Europe will no doubt taste even sweeter following a tense weekend of action in Rome.
One fan celebrated the win by throwing himself in the lake on the 16th green after Tommy Fleetwood secured victory
The spectator was soaking wet as he re-emerged from the water, but no doubt still delighted with the 16.5 – 11.5 win
Rory McIlroy was left furious on Saturday night when Patrick Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava joined in with Cantlay’s hat-waving celebrations rather than move out of his eye line for a crucial putt to save the final match of the day.
The Northern Irishman admitted after his singles match win against Sam Burns on Sunday that the incident had inspired the European team to claim victory.
McIlroy said: ‘I needed that to fuel me today and not let it take away from a great week. I used it to my advantage and came out here with a different level of focus and a different level of determination. I think it gave the whole team – it lit a fire under our bellies a little bit.’
The 34-year-old was seen popping a bottle of champagne on the course to toast the victory after team-mate Fleetwood’s decisive moment.
Team Europe secured victory over Team USA in the Ryder Cup at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome on Sunday
The European team were furious with caddie Joe LaCava after he celebrated in front of McIlroy as he prepared for a crucial putt to save the final match on Saturday
Team Europe captain Luke Donald added: ‘The U.S. put up a fight, [I am] so proud of my 12 guys; a strong bond from day one, and they gave me everything. They trusted me and they delivered for me
‘This is why the Ryder Cup is so special to me and to these guys because of these moments. We play for each other and we get to share in that success together, and we get to spend this week together and we’ll share those memories forever.’
The celebrations from Donald and his team were not as extreme as some of the fans on the 18th green, but the emotion of the win was clear to see.
The 16.5 – 11.5 victory represents an impressive turnaround from the comprehensive 19 – 9 loss at Whistling Straits in 2021.
