Ryder Cup WAGs Paige Straka and Kate Rose support Team Europe

As Team Europe took to the tee for the final day of the Ryder Cup today, the wives and girlfriends were out in force to support their partners in Rome.

Among those cheering on the athletes were Sepp Straka’s wife Paige Straka, who tied the knot with the golfer in September 2021.

She was accompanied by Team Europe rookie Bob MacIntyre’s  girlfriend Shannon Hartley. And Justin Rose’s wife Kate, who he wed in December 2006, was snapped cheering next to the other two.

Posing up a storm, the WAGS donned matching ensembles, sporting all-white outfits tops with yellow jackets as they cheered on their golf star partners on final day of the competition.

The WAGS posed for photos with Viktor Hovland and the Ryder Cup after Team Europe held off a spirited display from the US in Sunday’s singles to clinch a memorable 16.5-11.5 triumph in Rome.

Tommy Fleetwood’s 3&1 win over Rickie Fowler ultimately sealed victory, one which had looked likely since Europe’s 4-0 whitewash in the foursomes on Friday morning.

Diane Donald, 40, the glamorous wife of Europe captain Luke Donald took to Instagram to share images of herself, her daughters, and fellow WAGs as they cheered on their partners yesterday.

Among the other WAGs supporting their partners this weekend was New York-born Erica Stoll, 36, wife to Rory McIlroy

The beauty, who’ll be celebrating her 41st birthday tomorrow, was seen hanging out with the wives and girlfriends of other European players, including Ludvig Aberg’s girlfriend Olivia Peet and Vice Captain Edoardo Molinari’s wife Anna Rosci.

Diane, who was born in Greece but has lived in the US since she was 15, was all smiles as she shared images and footage from behind the scenes of the event –  starting with adorable snaps of her and her young daughters, Elle, Sophia and Georgina. 

The children dressed in sporty gear and baseball caps and had the hugest smiles as they stood alongside their mum in a show of support for their dad’s big day.

Next up, the mother-of-three captured the Europe team’s WAGS in their stylish glory, as they all got into position for the camera donning matching beige blazers, which they teamed with beige shorts, white t-shirts and white trainers. 

Meanwhile some opted for matching sunhats and statement sunglasses to fully encase the glamour of the day.

Later on they were seen marching excitedly to the fields where the rest of the crowd patiently awaited.

Europe’s Ryder Team captain Luke Donald, a former world No 1, first met Greece-born Diane while they were both attending Northwestern University in Illinois, before they eventually tied the knot in 2007. The couple also have three daughters together.

Earlier this year, Donald celebrated his 16th wedding anniversary with Diane, who has a major in psychology.

The emotional European captain reflected on a ‘stressful’ afternoon today after his team got over the line to regain the Ryder Cup.

Donald said: ‘Pretty emotional. It’s been a long process, it’s been an amazing journey and I enjoyed this one.

‘It was stressful. The US put up a fight today and hats off to them. Unbelievable, but I’m so proud of my 12 guys.

‘We formed a bond from day one and they gave me everything. They trusted me and they delivered for me.

‘It started off great, we got off to great start, we needed some blue on the board early and a few matches changed to red and you kept looking at the board and thinking ‘Where are we going to find 14.5 points?’ but we always had some guys at the back who looked good.’

Asked where it ranked in his career, Donald said: ‘This is the best. This is why the Ryder Cup is so special to me and these guys because of these moments.

‘We play for each other, we get to share in that success together and we get to spend this week together and we will have those memories forever.

‘I gave them a good culture to succeed, hopefully I laid out a good plan in how I thought they were going to win and then it was staying out of the way. They had to play well and they did the job, I’m happy they trusted me.

‘In historic Rome we made history today.’

Donald believes his team proved the doubters wrong following their 19-9 defeat in America two years ago, saying: ‘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 with the team I’ve got and I think these guys will be around for a long time.’

Fleetwood added: ‘I (feel) relief, pride, joy. I’m proud of everyone who has been involved this week and am proud I am just one of the people who gets to play a role in what we came here to do.

‘Luke is amazing. We are all so proud of him. From when this whole process started he has been so good.

‘The way he has been this week has been phenomenal and we look at Luke on another level. I’m so pleased we could do it for him.’

Robert MacIntyre closed out a 2&1 victory over Wyndham Clark while Shane Lowry lost the last hole to halve with Jordan Spieth.

Lowry told Sky Sports: ‘It’s a dream come true for me, it’s something I’ve always wanted to achieve in this game.

‘We didn’t get much confidence from Whistling Straits so I’m so proud of my team.

‘It’s been the greatest week of my life. I’ve been so lucky to do what I have in the game but the last two hours have been the most stressful two hours of my life.

‘Thankfully Tommy did the business and the rest was just a celebration from there.’

Beaten US captain Zach Johnson was in floods of tears after his side’s defeat.

Struggling to get out his words, Johnson told NBC: ‘I think the Europeans played phenomenal golf. It really is that simple.

‘My guys showed true heart and grit, a lot of character. They played for each other and I love them, but hats off to Luke.

‘They played great and they were very impressive. I think we got outplayed.

‘I’m proud of my guys, they fought. It’s not them, it’s on me. Maybe it’s some poor decisions, something to reflect (on). I don’t know yet.

‘I don’t have the brainwaves to function right now. I’ll reflect on this and Team USA will be better off at some point. We will diagnose every little bit of it.

‘I’m not making excuses, Europe outplayed us and they earned it.’

Also taking to Instagram throughout the competition was Brooks Koepka’s wife Jena. 

She revealed the American WAGs have their own locker room at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, sharing a glimpse of it on her Instagram story. 

In the picture, Jena’s locker is positioned next to Max Homa’s wife Lacey and USA captain Johnson’s wife Kim.

Jena and her fellow WAGs then took to the course to cheer on their men as they began the defense of America’s Ryder Cup crown.

She also talked her 57,200 TikTok followers through their Team USA outfit for day one, consisting of a blue-and-white striped dress with a pearl necklace.

However, the ladies were unable to inspire their men on the day as Europe stormed into a commanding lead – though one rocked with controversy. 

The final day of the competition came amid drama, following an altercation between members of Team Europe and Team USA, largely featuring Rory McIlroy.

He was reported as being held back by teammate Shane Lowry during an altercation in the carpark.

The disagreement came after Team Europe ended the day with their five-point lead over Team USA from Friday still intact – but after losing their final match of the day by just one hole to Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark.

McIlroy was said to be angry as he felt Cantlay’s caddie, Joe LaCarver, was too enthusiastic in his celebrations after Cantlay landed the final hole.