Luke Donald, his band of merry men and those European fans taught Team USA a lesson in how to behave with respect and dignity in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black
All that was missing from Team Europe were capes. Twelve superheroes who cemented their places in golfing folklore.
Turning Bethpage Black to blue, while leaving Team USA with faces as red as the course bleachers. Despite a stirring fight back that fell short.
For two days at least, United States captain Keegan Bradley resembled a restaurant manager without the staff to deal with the weekend rush. A leader out of his depth from start to finish. Someone who got the role in the first place due to a sympathy vote, but has no chance of being re-elected.
A bloke who thought the arrival of President Donald Trump would help his side get back into the contest. He might as well have picked Trump in one of the matches, to boost his chances of getting some points on the board.
But the nation of America lost much more than just a Ryder Cup. It lost its respect from the sporting world, due to the cretinous behaviour of home supporters towards the likes of Rory McIlroy.
‘Brutal and disgusting’ Sir Nick Faldo called it. So offensive at one stage that Shane Lowry had to be restrained from challenging one offender.
While the antics of Bryson Dechambeau and Justin Thomas left nothing to be desired. All the gear but no idea.
Bradley’s refusal to intervene, and appeal for calm amid the chaos, was a dereliction of his duty. As Americans personified how crass and boorish their country has become under the leadership of Trump.
Golf’s greatest event deserves much more decorum and respect than this. But nothing should overshadow or detract from Europe’s take down of their rivals in their own backyard.
So dominant were Luke Donald’s players in the first 48 hours that in the city that never sleeps, the hosts were put to bed long before the singles matches produced more stress than we anticipated.
Donald has now won back to back Ryder Cups, and become the first captain to triumph on foreign soil since 2012.
And along with Tony Jacklin, the only captain to win home and away in the competition’s proud history.
He has to continue for the next chapter in Ireland in 2027.
It might be tempting to quit while he’s ahead, but not as much as the chance to mastermind a hat-trick of wins over a team at rock bottom. Europe won with class and distinction.
While the United States have now had more than enough practice when it comes to learning how to lose with some dignity. But they still can’t manage it.