Viktor Hovland Injury Scare 😱 Ryder Cup Envelope Rule Almost Triggered After Neck Problem
😲 Viktor Hovland gave Europe a huge scare at the Ryder Cup!
The Norwegian star, fresh off a dominant foursomes win with Robert MacIntyre, was forced to pull out of his afternoon fourballs match with Matt Fitzpatrick after suffering a neck injury. That left Tyrrell Hatton to step in and form an all-English pairing against Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns.
Reports from Sky Sports suggest Hovland will be fit to return for Sunday’s singles 💪 — but fans briefly thought we might witness something we haven’t seen in over 30 years: the legendary Ryder Cup envelope rule.
📌 What happened?
• Hovland tweaked his neck, possibly while celebrating with a fist-pump on the 17th hole 🙌
• The “envelope rule,” introduced in 1979, allows captains to nominate one player in case of injury. If invoked, the opposing captain chooses a player to sit out, and the match is recorded as a half.
• The last time it was used was 1993, when Sam Torrance was sidelined and Lanny Wadkins sat out in response.
Luckily, Hovland’s setback doesn’t look serious, but for a few tense moments, Europe’s Ryder Cup hopes seemed in jeopardy.
👉 Do you think Hovland will be 100% fit for the final day at Bethpage Black? Comment your thoughts below!
⚡ Don’t miss the full breakdown of this dramatic Ryder Cup twist.
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Victor Havland gave European Rder Cup captain Luke Donald a brief scare on Saturday after picking up an injury earlier in the day. The 28-year-old Norwegian had been due to partner Matt Fitzpatrick in the fourth fourballs match of day two, but was forced to withdraw at the last minute. His place was taken by Trell Hatton, creating an all-English duo to face America’s Sam Burns and Patrick Kentlay. Havland reportedly tweaked his neck during his morning foresomes when alongside Robert McIntyre. The pair had just secured their first point of the contest, dominating 16 of 18 holes against world number one Scotty Sheffler and Russell Henley. Sky Sports Jamie were later reported that Havland is expected to be fit for Sunday singles, though Sir Nick Faldo speculated on air that the issue may even have been caused by an overzealous fist pump celebration on the 17th Green. For a short time, fans wondered if the rarely used Rder Cup envelope rule might be called into action. The rule introduced in 1979 when continental Europeans joined the competition allows a captain to nominate one player in advance who would sit out should an opposing player be unable to compete. If invoked, the opposing captain selects a player to match with the injured golfer with the match automatically recorded as a half. The envelopes are sealed when the singles draw is made and destroyed if not used. So, the nominated names remain a mystery unless required. The last time the rule came into play was in 1993 when Sam Torrance withdrew with a foot injury and American Lanny Watkins volunteered to sit out to balance the lineup. Fortunately for Europe, Havlin’s injury does not appear to be serious and he is expected to return for the crucial final day at Beth Paige Black.
2 Comments
This is bullshit. I highly doubt that Europe would do this deliberately but it really hurts US. Not that we have any chance anyway. But any automatic points, even a half is devastating
Just poor loser, terrible team and fans. We should end this tournament. US fans are a disgrace and not sure anyone wants to see this again.