VIKTOR HOVLAND couldn’t resist a cheeky taunt after controversially pulling out of the final day’s play at the Ryder Cup.
Europe and the US have been locking horns after Hovland’s neck injury triggered a rarely used rule and led to a dramatic twist on the final day at Bethpage Black.
Viktor Hovland just had to taunt team US with a point to his neck before lifting the cup[/caption]
He’d been forced to pull out of the Ryder Cup through injury and that turned out helping team Europe[/caption]
Europe claimed a thrilling 15-13 victory on Sunday – thanks in no small part to half a point secured by Hovland, despite the Norwegian being forced to withdraw from his singles match against Harris English.
Under this rule, each captain must select one player to sit out in the event of an injury or illness on the opposing team.
Bradley had already named English as his designated substitute.
That half-point proved crucial as Europe withstood a fierce late charge from Team USA to eventually win 15-13.
During the celebrations, Hovland made light of the situation by pointing at his neck as he lifted the Ryder Cup trophy.
After the match, a frustrated Bradley said: “I think 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.”
When asked how he’d change it, Bradley added: “I have a few ideas, but I’m not going to tell you right now… the rule has to change.”
But when the comments reached Team Europe, they weren’t impressed.
Robert MacIntyre laughed, while Luke Donald hit back in style.
Donaldo snapped: “We have contracts for a reason, a captains’ agreement for a reason, for situations like this.
“The rule is the rule, and it’s been in place for a long time… since 1971.
“The US has used it before—like in 1991 with Steve Pate, and in 1993 with Sam Torrance. The US won that one.”
For context: Steve Pate, a rookie, had suffered injuries in a car crash but had played the Saturday afternoon session.
Despite that, US captain Dave Stockton deemed him unfit to play in the singles against Seve Ballesteros.
Europe won that Ryder Cup 14.5–13.5, while the US won in 1993 after Torrance had to pull out with a toe injury.
Hovland, meanwhile, had been in sensational form, teaming up with MacIntyre to dispatch Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley in the Saturday morning foursomes.
But after a flare-up of his neck issue, he withdrew from the afternoon fourballs, leaving Europe’s hopes riding on the “secret envelope.”
And when the dust settled and Europe were crowned champions, Donald paid tribute to Hovland.
He said: “I would have had absolute faith in him to deliver a point today. He couldn’t play. He was gutted.”
As well as his cheeky gesture, Hovland also took the chance to recreate his iconic celebration from Rome two years ago.
He’s the only single player on the team and after victory in 2023, the other players’ partners made a fuss of the Norwegian.
Again he found himself all alone but that only saw him thrust front and centre yet again.
Hovland was front and centre yet again[/caption]
In 2023 the Wags paid Hovland special attention[/caption]
