Ryder Cup 2018: Key Takeaways From Le Golf National

The 2018 Ryder Cup is officially in the rearview mirror and it's Thomas Bjorn and his men who have gloriously prevailed.

In a breathless affair that was played in exactly the right spirit from start to finish, Team Europe managed to reclaim the most highly sought after trophy in team golf after it had been so impressively wrestled from their grasp by an inspired American side at Hazeltine National back in 2016.

To help bring our coverage of the 42nd Ryder Cup to an end, we've gathered together some of our key takeaways from three days in the Parisian sun. Here's what we've come up with...

Team Europe Rally On Day 1

Key to victory for Thomas Bjorn's European side was recovering from an early setback in falling to a 3-1 defeat in Friday's fourballs.

Responding perfectly in the afternoon by securing a clean sweep of the foursome matches dealt a psychological blow to Team USA that they would never really recover from.

ALLEZ LES BLEUS!!#TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/4iURnyvGN9

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 28, 2018

Garcia The History Maker

At this year's Ryder Cup, Sergio Garcia provided the perfect response to many in the game who had criticised captain Thomas Bjorn's decision to opt for the Spaniard as one of his wildcard picks.

In winning three points from four matches he would replace the six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo as the top European points scorer in the history of the event. Not bad for a guy that many had considered as being too far out of form to do any sort of job for the 'boys in blue'.

Catch a pretty impressive celebration from the Ryder Cup stalwart below...

'The Postman' Delivers Again

As if it were ever in doubt, Le Golf National was just another stop on 'The Postman's' route to Ryder Cup folklore.

Despite two defeats on Saturday to the American pair of Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth (fourballs with McIlroy and foursomes with Rahm), Ian Poulter did manage to contribute a vital two points to Europe's winning total.

That’s what we like to see! @IanJamesPoulter celebrating @RyderCupEurope's victory by dressing up as a postbox 📮
If you haven’t heard already, the man is nicknamed 'The Postman' because he always delivers.
Well played 👏
-#IanPoulter | #TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/Vm4UTiBfYP

— Royal Mail (@RoyalMail) October 1, 2018

The current world number one struggled to live with the passionate Englishman throughout their singles match on Sunday and the prophecy that 'The Postman Always Delivers' rang true once more...

Tiger's 'Nul Points'

Just one week on from his glorious return to the winner's circle in the PGA Tour at East Lake Country Club, Tiger Woods struggled to cope with the demands of a first Ryder Cup since 2012.

Playing four matches over the three days, the 14-time major winner will feel slightly unlucky to have encountered two Europeans who were in inspired form on three separate occasions. Both Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari secured a trio of points when pitted against Woods...

It was left to Jon Rahm to leave the 'Big Cat' licking his wounds after a 2&1 win in Sunday's singles.

Molinari 2018 Ryder Cup's 'MVP'

This year's Open champion Francesco Molinari was the star of the show for Thomas Bjorn's side as he secured a full-house of five points from five matches.

The Italian was imperious from start to finish and it was written in the stars that he would be the man delivering the clinching point against an out of sorts Phil Mickelson.

There was a massive amount of love for the Italian when he bagged the final point...

Francesco Molinari is in there somewhere!!!#TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/VreIag46z9

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 30, 2018

Rahm's Stunning Celebration

It wasn't just Sergio who let it all out in fine style after securing a point for Team Europe. Rookie Jon Rahm embraced the cacophony of support when disposing of Woods and provided one of the most memorable celebrations of the three days play.

The Spaniards definitely know how to celebrate and this one reminded us of 'Rahmbo's' reaction after his 60ft eagle to win his first professional tournament (Farmers Insurance Open 2017)…

World Number One Struggles

Dustin Johnson reclaimed the world number one crown at the Tour Championship after Justin Rose

In reality, the 2016 U.S. Open champion failed to live up to his lofty status as the world's best and could manage only one point from five separate matches.

Catch the highlights from DJ's solitary point achieved in Friday's fourball with Rickie Fowler...

A Raucous Atmosphere

The stadium feel at Le Golf National was further enhanced by the passionate European fans and 'that song'...

“TOMMY, TOMMY FLEETWOOD!!!”

“MOLI, MOLINARI!!”

(and repeat)#TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/nLhdTcyYEo

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2018

Whistling Straits Next Up

Team USA will be hoping to benefit from home advantage in 2020 when the Ryder Cup returns to America and the fairways of the 2015 PGA Championship venue, Whistling Straits.

Undoubtedly, this course will be better suited to the Americans and it's very likely that the final result will be a lot closer then the 17.5 - 10.5 closing score for the 2018 running.

Catch a flyover of the Wisconsin golf course below...

What are your abiding memories of this year's Ryder Cup? Who was your standout players? Can Team USA wrestle the trophy back in two years? Let us know below.

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