Ryder Cup Harris English Scottie Scheffler golf tips PGA TOUR short game envelope rule
Dive into Harris English’s first comments on the Ryder Cup envelope rule that kept him from playing singles after Viktor Hovland’s injury.
English shares his frustration, calling it ‘pretty pissed’ and how it ‘really sucked’ to miss his shot at glory in the historic comeback.
Plus, get an exclusive short game tip from Scottie Scheffler on handling tricky lies around the greens – a simple stance adjustment that works every time.
Learn why US Captain Keegan Bradley wants to change the rule, and hear English’s praise for his teammates.
Watch highlights from the Ryder Cup and see how this drama could have changed the outcome of Europe’s victory.
Perfect for golf fans, PGA TOUR enthusiasts, and anyone looking to improve their chipping game.
Imagine the heartbreak of gearing up for the ultimate golf showdown only to be sidelined by a bizarre rule that feels like a twist of fate. Welcome to Harris English’s Rider Cup roller coaster. If you’re new to golf’s grandest team event, the Rider Cup pits the best players from the United States against Europe in a high stakes battle of skill, strategy, and camaraderie. But in 2025, Harris English faced a gut-wrenching setback that sparked debates and left fans puzzled. Let’s dive into his candid reflections and a handy short game nugget from Scotty Sheffller, unpacking it all step by step so even beginners can follow along. Harris English, a talented Georgian golfer, had his competitive season abruptly halted amid controversy at the Ryder Cup in New York. He was all set to contribute to America’s thrilling comeback on Sunday, envisioning himself in the intense singles matches that could define the event. Instead, he ended up watching from the sidelines due to the infamous envelope rule kicking in after European star Victor Havlin withdrew with an injury. For those just tuning in, the envelope rule is a long-standing agreement between the teams. If a player gets hurt just before singles, their match isn’t forfeited or played half-heartedly. It’s automatically hald, meaning each team gets half a point, and the opposing player, whose name was randomly drawn into an envelope beforehand, also sits it out. This ensures fairness without forcing a compromised athlete into action, but it can leave the sideline player feeling robbed. In this case, English was that unlucky draw, marking only the fourth time this rule has been invoked in Ryder Cup history. First introduced in 1971 and last used in 1993. But here’s where it gets controversial. Is this rule a fair safeguard or an outdated quirk that robs players of glory? English was understandably furious, describing his emotions in a serious XM interview as pretty pissed about missing out. I was pumped up, ready to dive into a Sunday singles clash at the RDER Cup. One of my top two goals this year was just qualifying for the team, he shared. Not getting the chance to compete really stung. Havland, battling a recurring neck issue aggravated during Saturday’s fourball pairings, expressed sympathy. I felt awful for Harris, who was totally fine but couldn’t play. He was genuinely upset. This incident turned what seemed like a minor footnote into a pivotal point, especially as the US mounted an epic rally from a massive seven-point deficit, the largest comeback ever nearly happened, with that halfpoint potentially shifting the mood if Havlin had been required to play or forfeit. The US captain, Keegan Bradley, even called for reform, arguing it was a no-brainer change. Yet, Europe’s captain, Luke Donald, stood firm. The rule is the rule, and it’s been around forever. Ultimately, Europe clinched a 15-13 victory, but the debate raged on. And this is the part most people miss, the rules impact on team dynamics and morale. English though focused on the positives, praising the experience and his teammates. He cheered the US squad’s grit, noting how close they came to victory. Watching them battle back was amazing. That morning, checking the pairings, I thought we could win every match, and we almost did. He’s eager to return in 2027 at Adore Manor in Ireland, heaping praise on Bradley and the group for their support. Shifting gears to some encourse wisdom. English shared a delightful anecdote from practice rounds with fellow American Scotty Sheffller. Facing a tricky into the grain line near one of Beth Page’s greens, a shot where the grass grows against the ball’s path, making it tough to control, English sought advice from Sheffller, the world number one. He admitted he’d always struggled with these, trying to curve the ball one way without success. Sheffller’s simple fix. Keep the club face square and tweak your stance slightly, chipping it straight like a standard shot. No fancy tricks, just consistency. It worked instantly for me, English said. He’s a wizard around the greens. We think alike as field players who trust intuition over mechanics. This highlights Sheffller’s quiet brilliance. He’s third in scrambling stats on the PGA Tour. That’s saving par after missing the green, a key skill for beginners to master, while English ranks 22nd. English is back in action this week at the RSM Classic, his local event near Sea Island, Georgia. And as the top ranked player there, 18th in the world, he might channel that Sheffller magic. It was a boost getting to know stars like Sheffler and Bryson Dashambo better through the RDER Cup, learning from the best while appreciating their approachability. So, what do you think? Does the envelope rule need an overhaul to keep the game exciting and fair, or is it a necessary evil? Should injured players be pushed to compete, risking further harm? Share your take in the comments. Do you side with Bradley’s push for change, or agree that tradition wins out? Let’s discuss.
