Viktor Hovland was forced to withdraw from Saturday afternoon’s fourballs at Bethpage Black due to a recurring neck injury, with Tyrrell Hatton stepping in as his replacement. Learn about Hovland’s injury history, the impact on the European team’s strategy, and how the substitution affects Sunday’s singles matches. Key details include Hovland’s treatment timeline, Hatton’s preparation, and the Envelope Rule implications if Hovland can’t play Sunday. Stay updated on this pivotal moment in the Ryder Cup-style competition.
In a surprising turn of events at the prestigious Beth Page Black, the European team had to make a lastminute adjustment on Saturday afternoon. Victor Havland, who had previously teamed up with Bob McIntyre to secure a victory against American duo Scotty Sheffler and Russell Henley in the morning forsomes, was unable to compete in the crucial afternoon fourballs due to a troubling neck injury. Stepping in to fill Havlin’s spot was Tier Hatton, who will join fellow Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick to face off against the American pair Patrick Catlay and Sam Burns. Havland has been grappling with neck problems for several months, an issue that notably forced him to withdraw from the Travelers Championship after only two holes in his final round. During his morning match, he disclosed that he relied on painkillers to manage the discomfort while playing, specifically mentioning he took some on the seventh hole. Additionally, he received immediate treatment from the team physiootherapist Matt Roberts as they approached the 10th te. Unfortunately, the pain stayed consistent throughout the remainder of the match, Havland explained. Afterward, I went back to rest and sought further treatment. I attempted to hit a few shots on the driving range to test my progress, but the pain escalated with each attempt. I felt it was best to avoid any risks for the match, especially in forsomes where every player contributes to every shot. European captain Luke Donald shared with NBC’s Cara Banks that he had alerted Hatton about the possibility of Havland being unable to play, which allowed Hatton to be adequately warmed up and ready to take on this unexpected challenge. Looking ahead, all 12 players from each team are expected to participate in the singles matches on Sunday. Should Havlin find himself unfit to play, US captain Keegan Bradley has already prepared a player to sit out as dictated by the envelope rule. In such a case, that particular match would automatically be deemed a tie. This afternoon and evening, I will be focusing on treatment, Havland added optimistically. And I sincerely hope to be ready for the singles tomorrow. But here’s where it gets controversial. Is it wise to push through injuries like this in such high stakes matches? Or should players prioritize their health above all else? What are your thoughts on this? Should Havlin have played through the pain, or did he make the right call to step back? Feel free to share your opinions below.
