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Bradley Calls for Ryder Cup Envelope Rule Overhaul After Hovland’s Injury Halves Singles

Luke Donald defended the long-standing protocol, calling it a settled provision of the captains’ agreement.

Overview

  • Viktor Hovland withdrew from Sunday singles with a neck injury confirmed by MRI as a disc bulge, and medical staff said limited mobility made playing impossible.
  • The envelope rule was triggered, benching Harris English as the pre-listed U.S. player and awarding a half point to each team.
  • U.S. captain Keegan Bradley said the rule must change before 2027 and declined to share specifics, while praising English for accepting the decision.
  • Europe captain Luke Donald cited decades of precedent and past U.S. use in 1991 and 1993, framing the policy as part of the agreed competition framework.
  • Europe won 15-13, and multiple reports noted the half point did not alter the final outcome, though the optics of Hovland celebrating drew online criticism.