Viktor Hovland opens up about his lingering neck injury at the DP World India Championship, revealing he’s still taking painkillers to manage the pain from a bulging disc suffered during the Ryder Cup. Despite the setback and fan backlash, the Norwegian star continues to shine with stellar rounds in Delhi. 💪⛳
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Victor Havland shares concerning health update. Amid DP World India Championship, still taking painkillers under the blazing Delhi sun, Victor Havland appeared calm and in control. A picture of composure that masked the physical struggle he’s been quietly enduring. The Norwegian star who aggravated a bulging disc in his neck during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Beth Paige Black returned to action this week at the DP World India Championship at Delhi Golf Club. Following his third round, reporters asked how he was holding up. Havland, ever straightforward, replied, “It’s been good, actually. Since I haven’t been hitting any drivers, it’s holding up. Still taking painkillers and stuff to keep it going, but it feels quite nice. It’s not really affecting the golf swing at all, so no excuses there.” Despite managing pain, Havlin’s performance has been nothing short of stellar. After opening with a one under 71, he followed it up with bogey-free rounds of 67 and 66, notching five and six birdies, respectively. His consistency suggests that while his neck issue persists, it’s far from derailing his form. The Rder Cup injury and controversy Havlin’s neck injury first surfaced during the Saturday morning fourball session at the Ryder Cup, forcing him to withdraw from his Sunday singles match against Harris English. His absence triggered the competition’s controversial envelope rule, which mandates that a pre-selected opposing player also forfeits, resulting in both sides earning half a point. Given Team USA’s furious comeback on singles day, narrowing the gap to a 15-13 European victory, many American fans were quick to criticize the ruling. Some questioned whether Havlin’s injury was as serious as claimed. The backlash prompted Havlin to express regret over the situation. Just the fact that I didn’t get to play and I felt really bad for Harris, who also didn’t get to play a match, even though there was nothing wrong with him. While the incident reignited debate around the rarely used rule, history shows it’s not unprecedented. Similar cases occurred at the 1991 and 1993 Ryder Cups when injuries to Steve Pate and Sam Torrance led to identical match cancellations. fan reaction and fellow players disapproval as emotions ran high. Some American fans accused Havland of exaggerating his injury. Golf broadcaster Brendan Porath stirred the pot with a post on X, writing, “Fans heckling Havland, shouting that he looks fine and healthy. We’ll see you next week. We know he would play the Sanderson if he could.” Even Justin Thomas appeared visibly disappointed, shaking his head when the incident was mentioned. A moment captured in a viral Golf Digest clip that a strong return despite the setback now back on tour. Havlin’s form in India demonstrates resilience and mental toughness. While still relying on painkillers to stay competitive, his determination to push through the discomfort underscores his elite mindset. As he continues his recovery, the 27year-old seems intent on proving that neither pain nor controversy will slow him down, only sharpen his focus for what lies ahead.
