Viktor Hovland has been withdrawn from the Sunday singles lineup at Bethpage after failing to fully recuperate from a neck injury incurred during Saturday morning’s foursomes.
Hovland was scheduled to play alongside Matt Fitzpatrick in the final match of Saturday afternoon’s fourball session, but was replaced by Tyrrell Hatton shortly before the pair were due on the first tee.
This means that the ‘Envelope Rule’ is invoked, and Harris English, the man whose name was placed in the envelope by Bradley in the event of a withdrawal on the other side, will sit out and each side is awarded a half-point.
That leaves the score at 12 – 5, meaning Europe now require just two-and-a-half points from the remaining 11 matches to win the trophy and two points to retain it.
You can read the full statement released by Team Europe below.
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Viktor Hovland of Team Europe will not participate in the Sunday Singles at the 2025 Ryder Cup due to the recurrence of a neck injury.
The Norwegian has been managing the issue since withdrawing from the Travelers Championship in June.
He received treatment during the Saturday morning Foursomes and was then unable to play in the Saturday afternoon Fourballs, with Tyrrell Hatton replacing him in the final match alongside Matt Fitzpatrick.
He had an MRI scan on Saturday night at a local hospital in New York. He then woke up on Sunday morning unable to move his neck.
He tried to warm up at Bethpage but due to limited movement, he had to inform Captain Luke Donald that he will be unable to play in his Singles match against Harris English at 2.03pm.
Hovland said: “There is nothing more I would like to do than be out there representing Team Europe and trying to help them win the Ryder Cup today. Not being able to do so is pretty heartbreaking. I will be backing my team as hard as I can and rooting them on.”
Dr Andrew Murray, Ryder Cup Europe’s Chief Medical Officer, said: “Viktor’s pain started during the morning foursomes, where he received treatment and medication from the physio and medical team on course during the match. Following this he attempted to warm up for Saturday fourballs, but experienced increasing pain while swinging a golf club, and a lack of range of movement in his neck and withdrew, being replaced by Tyrrell Hatton.
“An MRI was arranged following liaison between Team Europe and PGA of America on-site medical team, which confirmed a flare up of a previous injury – a disc bulge in his neck by a medical imaging specialist. This morning, Viktor received ongoing treatment but unfortunately he is not able to rotate or flex his neck to one side making playing the singles impossible.”
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