By Phil Haigh
Copyright metro
Keegan Bradley says it is ‘obvious’ a rule must change (Picture: Getty Images)
After Viktor Hovland withdrew from the Ryder Cup singles matches with injury, meaning the teams split a point, USA captain Keegan Bradley says it is obvious the rule has to change.
Europe won the Ryder Cup in dramatic fashion at Bethpage Black on Sunday, holding off a brilliant USA fightback to eventually emerge with a 15-13 victory.
The Americans were in a terrible position after Saturday’s action, trailing 11½-4½ and it got worse for them after Hovland withdrawing.
The Norwegian had a problem with his neck which meant he could not play on in his four-ball on Saturday, replaced by Tyrell Hatton, while the ‘envelope rule’ was required on Sunday.
This rule sees both captains submitting the name of a player in a sealed envelope who would not play in case of an opposition player not being able to compete through injury.
Harris English was the man to miss out and in this situation the point is split, meaning USA started Sunday’s action 12-5 behind.
Bradley made it clear what he thought of the situation, demanding a change in the rules before the next Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in 2027.
Viktor Hovland could not play on due to a stiff neck (Picture: Getty Images)
‘It has to change,’ said Bradley after his team’s loss. ‘I have a few ideas but I’m not going to tell you right now.
‘It’s obvious to everybody in the sports world, in this room. Nothing against Viktor. But that rule needs to change by the next Ryder Cup.’
Europe captain Luke Donald pointed out that the envelope rule has been in place for many years and used by both teams before.
‘The rule is the rule and it’s been in place for a long time,’ he said. ‘We have contracts for a reason, a captains’ agreement for a reason, for situations that occur.
Luke Donald’s team secured a famous win in New York (Picture: Getty Images)
‘I want to centre it back to Viktor; I would have had absolute faith in him to deliver a point. He couldn’t play. He was gutted.’
Donald added: ‘The US have used it before, in 1991 with Steve Pate. That was a tight Ryder Cup, too, 14½-13½..
‘It happened in 1993; Sam Torrance couldn’t play with an injured toe. The US won that one.’
Rory McIlroy celebrated after a feisty tournament (Picture: Getty Images)
Dr. Andrew Murray, Ryder Cup Europe’s chief medical officer, said in a statement on Sunday of Hovland’s injury: ‘An MRI was arranged following liaison between Team Europe and PGA of America on-site medical team, which confirmed a flare up of a previous injury — a disk bulge in his neck by a medical imaging specialist.
‘This morning, Viktor received ongoing treatment but unfortunately he is not able to rotate or flex his neck to one side making playing the singles impossible.’
Hovland said: ‘There is nothing more I would like to do than be out there representing Team Europe and trying to help them win the Ryder Cup today.
‘Not being able to do so is pretty heart-breaking. I will be backing my team as hard as I can and rooting them on.’
Hovland played alongside Bob MacIntrye on Friday morning, losing the foursome to Xander Scheuffele and Patrick Cantlay.
Shane Lowry sank the crucial putt on Sunday (Picture: Getty Images)
He then won the Saturday morning foursome with MacIntyre against Russell Henley and Scottie Scheffler.
USA’s frustration was clear after Sunday’s singles as they nearly pulled off an immense comeback, with Ludvig Aberg the only European to win his singles contest, beating Cantlay.
Shane Lowry holed the putt to secure the Ryder Cup for Europe, halving with Henley.
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