by CHASKA, Minn. – Rickie Fowler (Navajo) earned his first-ever Ryder Cup singles win, posting a 1-up victory over 2016 Olympic champion Justin Rose on Sunday at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Fowler’s triumph helped the United States knock off the European squad, 17-11, and win the event for the first time since 2008.
The Murrieta, Calif., native finished the event with a 2-1-0 record. In addition to his victory on Sunday, he teamed with Phil Mickelson on Friday morning to post a 1-up win over Rory McIlroy and Andy Sullivan in their foursome match. The win gave Fowler the first full point of his Ryder Cup career.
Fowler and Mickelson fell to McIlroy and Thomas Pieters in their Saturday morning foursome match.
Making the third Ryder Cup appearance of his career, Fowler now has a 2-4-5 overall record at the event.
On Sunday, Rose took the first hole of the match with a birdie at the par-4 first. The duo halved the next five holes, playing the stretch in 2-under par with birdies at the second and fifth. Fowler pulled even with a birdie at the seventh before Rose answered with a birdie at the eighth to make the turn with a 1-up lead.
Fowler claimed the 10th with a par before once again navigating a five-hole stretch of halved holes. He took his first lead of the day at the 16th. He and Rose recorded pars at the 17th and Rose had a chance to draw a half point at the 18th before his birdie put just missed. Fowler rolled in his par putt to halve the hole and take the match.
