FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Following his group’s 15-13 loss to the Europeans within the forty fifth Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black on Sunday, U.S. captain Keegan Bradley stated the occasion’s longstanding envelope rule involving injured gamers ought to change.
However Luke Donald, who grew to become solely the second European captain to win back-to-back Ryder Cups, stated the rule is there to guard gamers and will stay in place.
The substitution rule within the captains’ settlement requires every group to submit the identify of 1 participant Saturday night time in a sealed envelope who would not play within the case of an harm to a golfer on the opposing group.
It was invoked for under the fourth time Sunday when Norway’s Viktor Hovland needed to withdraw from singles due to a neck harm.
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“The rule is the rule, and it has been in place for a very long time,” Donald stated. “We’ve contracts for a cause, a captains’ settlement for a cause, for conditions that happen.”
Hovland was scheduled to play Harris English within the anchor singles match. English occurred to be the participant that Bradley submitted in his sealed envelope, so he needed to watch Sunday’s motion.
“I’d have had absolute religion in him to ship some extent as we speak,” Donald stated of Hovland. “He could not play. He was gutted.”
Stated English: “It sucked not going on the market and taking part in. However it’s what it’s, and I used to be a part of the gang as we speak and contributed as a lot as I may.”
The groups halved their match, giving the Europeans a 12-5 lead going into the ultimate session.
Bradley stated the rule “has to alter” however would not specify how he would alter it. The obvious method to do it will be to have the injured golfer’s group forfeit a full level as an alternative of a half-point.
“I’ve just a few concepts, however I am not going to inform you proper now,” Bradley stated. “I imply, the rule has to alter. I believe it is apparent to everyone within the sports activities world, on this room. Nothing in opposition to Viktor, however that rule wants to alter by the following Ryder Cup.”
Donald famous that the U.S. used the controversial rule when it captured the 1991 Ryder Cup 14.5-13.5 at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina. Steve Pate was injured in a automobile accident the night time earlier than the occasion began, and his bruised ribs prevented him from taking part in in singles. If the People had been pressured to forfeit a full level, the Europeans would have retained that Ryder Cup with a rating of 14-14.
Scotland’s Sam Torrance withdrew from his singles match within the 1993 Ryder Cup with an contaminated toe. Lanny Wadkins volunteered to take a seat out for the People. The U.S. group received 15-13 at The Belfry in England to maintain the Ryder Cup, the final time it received in Europe.
Hovland, who withdrew from his four-ball match Saturday, had an MRI at a New York hospital Saturday night time. He wakened Sunday unable to maneuver his neck. Ryder Cup officers stated Hovland tried to heat up at Bethpage Black however had restricted motion.
“There’s nothing extra I want to do than be on the market representing Staff Europe and making an attempt to assist them win the Ryder Cup as we speak,” Hovland stated in a press release. “Not having the ability to take action is fairly heartbreaking. I can be backing my group as arduous as I can and rooting them on.”
Hovland, who stated he has been coping with neck points for the previous couple of months, began experiencing the newest ache throughout his Saturday morning foursomes (alternate-shot) match. He obtained remedy and bodily remedy on the course, however the ache did not go away.
“An MRI was organized following liaison between Staff Europe and PGA of America on-site medical group, which confirmed a flare up of a earlier harm — a disk bulge in his neck by a medical imaging specialist,” Dr. Andrew Murray, Ryder Cup Europe’s chief medical officer, stated in a press release. “This morning, Viktor obtained ongoing remedy however sadly he’s not capable of rotate or flex his neck to 1 facet making taking part in the singles inconceivable.”
Hovland, the No. 12-ranked golfer on the earth, was scheduled to play with Matt Fitzpatrick within the four-ball match in opposition to Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay on Saturday. Shortly earlier than his tee time, Hovland was changed by Tyrrell Hatton. Fitzpatrick and Hatton received 1 up.
