FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Europe’s Viktor Hovland has withdrawn from Sunday’s singles match at the Ryder Cup due to a neck injury.
“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,” Hovland said in a statement. “Not being able to do so is pretty heartbreaking. I will be backing my team as hard as I can and rooting them on.”
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Hovland, who was replaced in Saturday’s afternoon four-ball session by Tyrrell Hatton, was scheduled to face Harris English in the final match of the event.
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After playing in the morning foursomes match with Robert MacIntyre — a 1 UP victory over Russell Henley and Scottie Scheffler — Hovland said the neck injury, which has been bothering him since June’s Travelers Championship, began becoming an issue.
According a European team spokesperson, Hovland received treatment during Saturday’s morning foursomes match and underwent an MRI in the evening at a local hospital. He woke up Sunday unable to move his neck. After attempting to warm up at the course, limited movement forced him to withdrawn.
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Due to Hovland’s withdrawal, the rare “Envelope Rule” was triggered for the fourth time in Ryder Cup history. When captains submit their singles roster on Saturday night, they are also required to submit one name in a sealed envelope. That player listed inside the envelope would then sit out if the opposing team has a player who can’t play in the singles match for whatever reason. Then both teams will just receive a half point, as if the match finished in a tie.
Now that the English vs. Hovland match will no longer take place, Europe now leads 12-5 and needs only two points to retain the Ryder Cup.
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