Dave Portnoy has joined the conversation about the longstanding rules of the Ryder Cup.
News broke on Sunday that European player Viktor Hovland had to withdraw from the singles competition at Bethpage Black due to a neck injury, leading both teams to receive half the points.
Portnoy reacted to Hovland’s situation, tweeting, “So, Victor Hofland slept awkwardly on his neck and couldn’t play Europe, so he won the Ryder Cup for free .5 pt?”
With Hovland out, US Captain Keegan Bradley had to make adjustments to his 12-player lineup, a decision he had made prior to the tournament.
Both European captains, Bradley and Luke Donald, had to designate one player in a sealed envelope who wouldn’t qualify for a singles match if injured on the opposing team.
During the competition, Harris English represented the US on Sunday, finishing with a score of 12-5. The decisive putt from Shane Rawley of Ireland secured Europe’s victory.
Reflecting on the result, Bradley highlighted the need for a rule change as he assessed the significant defeat. “That has to be changed,” he remarked, acknowledging the teams needed 9.5 points on Sunday. “I think it’s obvious to everyone in the sports world in this room. There’s nothing for Viktor, but that rule needs to be changed before the next Ryder Cup.”
The envelope method has been utilized four times in the Ryder Cup’s history, with the US winning in 1991 and 1993 following injuries to Steve Patee and Sam Torrance, respectively.
As a first-time Ryder Cup captain, Bradley took on substantial responsibility for the team’s performance. “I have to be responsible for this outcome,” he stated. “We tried to set up a course to help our team. Obviously, it wasn’t the right decision. I definitely made a mistake in setting up the course. If I could go back, I would probably have changed that.”
Bradley also acknowledged the impressive play from the Europeans, who showcased outstanding golf over the last two days.
The next Ryder Cup is scheduled to return to Europe in Ireland in 2027.
