Viktor Hovland has defended the Ryder Cup rule that allowed him to earn half a point for Team Europe despite being unable to play due to injury — a decision that has sparked outrage from Team USA and captain Keegan Bradley.
The Norwegian golfer was forced to withdraw from his Sunday singles match after suffering an injury he had been carrying throughout the event. As a result, his match with Harris English was halved, leaving the American without a chance to compete and prompting calls for the “envelope rule” to be scrapped.
At the Solheim Cup — the women’s equivalent — the rule is different, with the opposing team awarded a full point if a player is unable to compete. Despite that, Hovland believes the current Ryder Cup system should remain in place, describing it as a matter of “gentleman’s agreement.”
“The whole situation was tough,” Hovland said. “I felt really bad for Harris because he didn’t get to play, even though there was nothing wrong with him. But in the spirit of the Ryder Cup, I think it’s a mutual understanding — maybe next time it’s a U.S. player who gets hurt, and we’ll all be sympathetic. It’s just part of the history and sportsmanship of this event.”
Team Europe went on to secure a 15–13 victory at Bethpage Black, claiming a rare win on American soil. But Bradley, who oversaw the U.S. defeat, insists the rule must change before the next Ryder Cup in Ireland.
“It has to change,” Bradley said bluntly. “Everyone knows it. Nothing against Viktor, but that rule shouldn’t exist in future competitions.”
Hovland, however, warned that altering the system could create strategic loopholes. “If the rule changes, captains could just send their injured player out early against one of the opposition’s best — almost as a sacrifice,” he explained. “I don’t think there’s any perfect solution.”
European captain Luke Donald also dismissed calls for reform, noting that the rule has benefited both sides over the years. “The rule is the rule, and it’s been in place for a long time,” he said.
Despite the controversy, Hovland stood firm, maintaining that tradition and sportsmanship should take precedence over competitive advantage.
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