In a stunning turn of events at the 45th Ryder Cup, Viktor Hovland has been forced to withdraw from the highly anticipated Sunday singles match due to a persistent neck injury. This unexpected development has not only left Hovland sidelined but has also brought the European team a crucial step closer to clinching victory. The talented 28-year-old Norwegian golfer revealed that the discomfort began during the Travelers Championship in June, and despite his determination to compete, he woke up on Sunday unable to move his neck.
Hovland’s absence is a significant blow to Team Europe, who saw Tyrrell Hatton step in for him alongside Matt Fitzpatrick, securing a full point and extending their lead to an impressive 11½-4½. Hovland’s situation became dire as he attempted to warm up at Bethpage but quickly realized he could not perform at his best. In a heartfelt statement, he expressed his disappointment: “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 heartbreaking. I will be backing my team as hard as I can and rooting them on.”
This marks a rare occurrence in Ryder Cup history, as it’s the first time in 32 years that a captain’s pre-selected player has had to withdraw from the singles session. Hovland was set to face off against Harris English, who has had a challenging tournament thus far, losing both of his foursomes matches and sitting out the four-ball sessions.
The rules established by the captains state that if a player is unable to compete due to injury or illness, the match is declared a draw rather than a forfeit, granting each side a half-point. This is a strategic move to ensure fairness among the teams. According to the PGA of America, each captain must provide a sealed envelope naming a player who is paired with someone unable to compete, effectively setting the match as a tie.
Paul Azinger, the U.S. captain in 2008, once noted that selecting a player for this situation is one of the toughest decisions a captain faces. The last captain to deal with a similar scenario was Tom Watson in 1993 when Sam Torrance had to withdraw due to a severe toe infection. Watson’s choice was eased by Lanny Wadkins, who volunteered to take Torrance’s place, showcasing the camaraderie and teamwork that defines the Ryder Cup.
European Captain Luke Donald provided insight into Hovland’s condition, detailing how the golfer experienced considerable discomfort during his round leading up to the singles. Despite receiving physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory treatments, Hovland was unable to shake off the pain when attempting to practice. “He hit one, and it was very painful. He hit another one, and it got even more painful. It was at that point that he thought, you know, I’m not going to be able to play to the level that I think I can,” Donald explained. The decision to withdraw was made at the last minute, highlighting the unpredictable nature of sports injuries.
With this half-point addition, Europe now leads 12-5, positioning themselves just two points away from retaining the Ryder Cup, a feat they are eager to accomplish on foreign soil for the first time since 2012. The stakes have never been higher, and as the matches unfold, the absence of Hovland adds an intriguing layer of drama to an already electrifying tournament.
