Europe have defeated the United States 16½-11½ to regain the Ryder Cup and ensure their unbeaten run on home soil will continue to 34 years.
Tommy Fleetwood was the man to secure the vital point on a dramatic afternoon at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club where, despite Europe entering the singles with a commanding lead and never trailing, the U.S. threatened to complete a remarkable comeback.
The home side led 10½-5½ on Sunday morning, meaning the U.S. Team needed the biggest Ryder Cup comeback in history to win despite a rousing 3-1 session victory in Saturday afternoon's four-balls.
Early European success got the home side to 14-7 but Matt Fitzpatrick missed an 18-footer on the last for the trophy as the Americans cut the gap to 14-11 following a strategic decision from Max Homa to take an unplayable that helped him halve the hole.
Fleetwood and Shane Lowry then both guaranteed at least half a point each before Fleetwood won the 17th against Rickie Fowler to secure a 3&1 victory and put the Ryder Cup back in European hands.
European Captain Luke Donald - who was undefeated as a player in four Ryder Cups - was in tears after seeing Fleetwood and Lowry make sure of the half-points.
"I'm so emotional," he said. "It's been a long process, an amazing journey - I enjoyed this one.
"It was stressful, the U.S. put up a fight but I'm so proud of my 12 guys. We formed a strong bond from day one and they gave me everything. They trusted me and they delivered for me.
"Our guys got off to a great start, the early guys which is what we needed. Wanted some blue on the board early and then a few matches changed to red and you just kept looking at the board, kept looking at the board.
"This is the best (moment of my career). 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.
"Not 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't be happier with the team I got.
"I think these guys will be around for a long time and we're going to put up a great fight in two years' time."
A 4-0 foursomes session victory for Europe on the first morning on Friday set the tone for the week and the home side led 9½-2½ after three sessions.
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
The U.S. fightback began as they took the Saturday four-balls and, while they managed a 6-6 tie across the singles, the mountain was too big to climb.
"If I have any reflection right now it's that you take your hat off and tip your cap to Team Europe and to Luke - they played great, they earned it and I was very impressed with them," said U.S. Captain Zach Johnson.
"We got outplayed but we showed grit, we showed heart and it got interesting there.
"We had some momentum coming into the day and even some momentum during the day so I'm proud of my guys.
"They fought, they've got so much heart and grit, it's not them, it's on me and maybe some poor decisions. I can reflect at some point, I don't have any idea yet but it's not about those 12 guys. They played so hard for each other and our country and I'm grateful for each and every one of them."
Victory for Team Europe 🇪🇺 #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/emDayG0nY8
— Ryder Cup (@rydercup) October 1, 2023
Viktor Hovland took the first point of the day, downing Collin Morikawa 4&3 in convincing fashion before Jon Rahm hit the green in two at the par-five last and cosied a 90-foot putt up to the side of the pin to win the hole and seal a half-point against Scottie Scheffler.
Patrick Cantlay - the U.S. talisman of Saturday evening - held off a spirited comeback from Justin Rose in a 2&1 win before Rory McIlroy secured some Ryder Cup redemption from Whistling Straits.
The Northern Irishman was in tears two years ago after taking one point from four and sitting out a session for the first time in his career in the chastening, record-breaking 19-9 defeat in Wisconsin.
Europe's most experienced player was emotional again after his 3&1 win over Sam Burns took him to a career-best four points in a single Ryder Cup and at that point Europe led 13-7 - but there was a sea of red in the middle of the board.
Tyrrell Hatton beat Brian Harman 3&2 to stay undefeated for the week and deny the United States the chance of victory but the visitors were still very much in with a chance of retaining, holding leads in the next four matches while Europe only had narrow advantages in the final two.
Brooks Koepka completed a convincing 3&2 win over Ludvig Åberg and there was then drama on the last as, after Max Homa found an unplayable lie, Matt Fitzpatrick had 18 feet for the hole and the vital half-point that would win the trophy.
The Englishman missed and then Homa showed nerves of steel from seven feet to keep his country alive with a 1 UP win.
Xander Schauffele won the 15th and 16th to close out a 3&2 win over Nicolai Højgaard and Justin Thomas beat Sepp Straka 2 UP but the tide was turning towards Europe in match 11.
Fleetwood and Fowler had been nip and tuck and while the Englishman was 2 UP with five to play, a Fowler birdie won the 14th.
The pivotal moment then came on the 16th when Fowler put his tee-shot into the water and Fleetwood drove the green at the par four, cosying his putt to concession range to ensure a European victory.
It was confirmed on the next when the 32-year-old put his tee-shot to three feet, with Fowler conceding after missing his birdie effort.
"It was a bit bigger than I thought I was going to have when we saw the draw," he said. "But just so proud of being part of this team.
"We have an amazing group of people. We always do. This year has obviously been different and the landscape has changed a little bit for Team Europe.
"I couldn't wish for a better bunch of people to do this with. It's honestly been so amazing and everybody is so great. We are just one gigantic family, and the bonds we made with everybody will last a lifetime and just to be part of it is a cool experience."
Jordan Spieth had been 3 UP against Lowry but the Irishman fought back for tie, conceding the 18th with the trophy already won, while Robert MacIntyre beat Wyndham Clark 2&1 in the anchor match to take 2½ points from three matches on his Ryder Cup debut.
