Norway’s Viktor Hovland admitted the situation caused by his withdrawal from the Singles session at last month’s Ryder Cup was “pretty upsetting” but suggested the “spirit of the Ryder Cup” means there is no reason to alter the current ‘Envelope Rule.’
The World No.13’s inability to play led to the ‘Envelope Rule’ being implemented, with both teams given half a point each and Harris English forced to sit out as Team USA’s nominated pro.
Europe just about withstood a major fightback by the home side on the final day and held on to win the Ryder Cup – a result which would not have changed even if English and Hovland had battled it out on course.
Nevertheless, plenty of people were left feeling frustrated as a result of Hovland’s injury – an emotion that the Norwegian fully understood.
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Speaking ahead of his first competitive appearance since at the DP World India Championship, Hovland said: “The whole situation was pretty upsetting, just the fact that I didn’t get to play, and I felt really bad for Harris, who also didn’t get to play a match, even though there was nothing wrong with him.
“He just didn’t get to play, and he was upset about that, and I feel very bad for not being able to compete.”
Hovland’s withdrawal early on Sunday pushed the score from 11.5 – 4.5 to 12-5, reducing Team Europe’s required total to retain the Ryder Cup from 2.5 points to just two whole points from 11 matches.
Should Solheim Cup rules have been in place, Team USA would have received the full point and nerves would have been shaking far later than Shane Lowry’s match several hours later.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
While many alternative ideas were pitched in the aftermath of the battle at Bethpage Black, Hovland suggested the current parameters are probably the lesser of all evils and cited the Ryder Cup spirit as insurance against players dropping out without just cause.
Asked if he would change anything about the Envelope Rule, Hovland replied: “It’s tough. I think we’re so used to in sports that if you can’t play because you’re hurt,…
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