Viktor Hovland has angered American fans by pointing to his neck during Team Europe’s Ryder Cup celebrations, as USA captain Keegan Bradley demanded a change to competition rules.
Hovland withdrew from singles on the final day at Bethpage Black after aggravating a neck injury.
The Norwegian had starred alongside Bob MacIntyre in taking down Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley in the morning foursomes on Saturday, before abruptly pulling out of the afternoon fourballs at short notice because of the recurrence of an issue he has battled for two months.
Hovland’s injury necessitated the rare use of the ‘secret envelope’ protocol.
Under those rules, which have been invoked only twice since 1979, each captain named one player prior to the singles who they would bench in the event of an injury or illness on the opposing team. Bradley designated Felix English.
Hovland’s withdrawal meant the point was split and pushed Europe two points away from retaining the Ryder Cup having taken a 12-5 lead.
The half point initially looked unlikely to impact the outcome with Luke Donald’s team in a dominant position, but it increasingly looked crucial as the USA threatened to stage a stunning comeback win.
Six Americans earned wins in their singles matches, with Ludvig Aberg the only European to win his match, as Europe eventually won 15-13 to win an away Ryder Cup for the first time in 13 years.
Hovland joined Team Europe’s celebrations after their historic triumph and angered American fans by jokingly pointing to his neck before raising the famous trophy aloft.
The Norwegian’s light-hearted joke angered American fans, who demanded a change to Ryder Cup rules.
‘I’m sorry, but this whole Viktor Hovland neck injury stuff is such a stain on the Ryder Cup,’ one fan wrote.
‘Neck looks fine in the group photo & then it looks like he puts on an acting job in the celebration with Team Europe and their fans. Dude got .5 for sitting out. That’s some liberal participation trophy nonsense.
‘Also, I like Hovland. I’ve been a fan of his for a while, and don’t doubt he’s hurt, but awarding points for sitting out and then acting like he’s in a neck brace in celebration is just silly. At least give it a go like tennis players do.’
Another fan wrote ‘Shameful this happened’, with a third stating ‘It’s a miracle. Victor is healed.’
One American fan mocked up an image of Hovland holding the Ryder Cup while wearing a neck brace, adding ‘Congrats to Viktor Hovland for his outstanding play today to get Europe 1/2 point.’
European fans, however, hit back by noting that the half-point was ultimately not decisive in the final outcome.
USA captain Bradley joined calls for a change to rules after his team were beaten at Bethpage Black.
‘It has to change,’ Bradley said. ‘I have a few ideas but I’m not going to tell you right now. ‘It’s obvious to everybody in the sports world, in this room. Nothing against Viktor. But that rule needs to change by the next Ryder Cup.’
Donald had defended the use of the envelope rule with Europe’s captain stressing it has been in place for several years with both teams using it in the past.
‘The rule is the rule and it’s been in place for a long time,’ Donald said.
‘We have contracts for a reason, a captains’ agreement for a reason, for situations that occur. ‘I want to centre it back to Viktor; I would have had absolute faith in him to deliver a point. He couldn’t play. He was gutted.
‘The US have used it before, in 1991 with Steve Pate. That was a tight Ryder Cup, too, 14½-13½.
‘It happened in 1993, Sam Torrance couldn’t play with an injured toe. The US won that one.’
Team Europe’s chief medical officer Dr. Andrew Murray had confirmed the nature of Hovland’s injury on Sunday morning following an MRI scan.
‘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 disk bulge in his neck by a medical imaging specialist,’ Murray said.
‘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.’
‘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,’ Hovland added.
‘Not being able to do so is pretty heart-breaking. I will be backing my team as hard as I can and rooting them on.’
