Viktor Hovland thinks resolving Ryder Cup rules controversy won’t be easy
Viktor Hovland wanted to play, but he couldn’t. His withdrawal from Sunday’s singles match at the 2025 Ryder Cup caused uproar and the United States mounted a furious rally that was over quickly.
One lasting image of Hovland’s 15-13 win in Europe was pumping his fist on the putt on the 17th hole in Saturday’s foursome victory over Russell Henley and Scottie Scheffler. He was 1-1-1 at the time, but a neck issue flared up during that game, forcing Hovland to sit out the afternoon. He withdrew on Sunday after an MRI revealed a herniated disc. With Hovland unable to compete on Sunday, the controversial Ryder Cup “envelope rule” comes into effect. Hovland’s singles match against Harris English in Keegan Bradley’s envelope on Sunday was halved as the captain agreed.
After taking a break, Hovland returned to competition this week at the DP World Tour India Championship. Hovland was sad not to be able to play in the Ryder Cup on Sunday, both for himself and for English, whose Ryder Cup was cut short.
“The whole situation is very frustrating and the fact that I didn’t play, I feel really bad for Harris and he didn’t play either, even though there was nothing wrong with him,” Hovland told reporters in India. “He just didn’t get to play and he was frustrated about it and I felt really bad about not being able to play.”
He was denied a Ryder Cup opportunity he may never have again
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Alan Bastable
When the final day of the Ryder Cup began at Bethpage Black, Europe led 12-5 after Hovland withdrew. They need just 2.5 points from their remaining 11 games to win the trophy. Team Europe’s lead suggests Hovland’s WD won’t be a big storyline in the finals. But with the U.S. receiving an early red card, Hovland’s half-point looked like it might be the decisive score in a road win in Europe. But Ludwig Oberg beat Patrick Cantlay and Matt Fitzpatrick, Sean Lowry, Tyrell Hatton and Robert McIntyre all scored half points to take Europe to 15 points.
After Europe beat the United States on Sunday, captain Keegan Bradley expressed his frustration with a rule that deducted half a point for Europe due to Hovland’s injury.
“The rules have to change,” Bradley said. “I think it’s obvious to everyone in the sport, in this room. There’s nothing against Victor. But that rule needs to change before the next Ryder Cup.”
Hovland understands the dissatisfaction with the rule, but noted it’s part of a friendly display.
The rule has been in place since 1979 but has not been used since 1993. The rule has been enacted only twice. In 1991, American Steve Pate was involved in a car accident a few days before the race and suffered a bruised rib. He sat until Saturday afternoon when the injury re-aggravated. Pate was unable to play and David Guilford’s name was taken out of the envelope. The American team ultimately won 14.5-13.5. In 1993, European Sam Torrance had to sit with an infected toe. Lanny Wadkins agreed to compete for Team USA, so no name was revealed on the envelope. Team USA won 15-13.
“It’s tough. I think we’re so used to it in sports that if you can’t play because of an injury, obviously that should be a loss,” Hovland said. “But I think in the spirit of the Ryder Cup, the spirit of the game and the history, knowing that this Ryder Cup is just one part of many Ryder Cups to come, I think it’s more of a gentleman’s agreement that, okay, you’re injured this time, maybe the next time there’s a guy on the U.S. team, we all sympathize with the guy who’s injured and can’t play.
“I think there’s a mutual understanding that if we’re healthy, we’re all going to go out and compete. I don’t think people are going to take advantage of it and really cheat the system and try to get away with it.”
It’s easier to suggest changing rules than to find rules that make sense. As Hovland pointed out, forcing teams with injured players to lose would be an easy system to game.
“If you do change the rules and give up a point, there’s also an angle now where that’s acceptable, knowing that the other team is probably going to send their best player in the first few groups and they can use me as a sacrificial lamb and then use the L against their best player,” Hovland said. “So there are other ways to go about it, I don’t think there’s any ideal way to do it. I think it’s just a better overall approach, even though it’s just a tough situation, and at the end of the day, I think we all want to go out and have fun.”
Europe captain Luke Donald believes there is no need to change the rules. Players want to play. If they can’t, the envelope is there – and has been since 1979.
“The rules are the rules and they’ve been around for a long time,” Donald said after his team’s win at Bethpage Black.
Editor’s note: For more information about “The Envelope” and the history behind it, click here This story was written by GOLF’s Dylan Dethier.
