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Bradley Demands Ryder Cup Envelope Rule Review After Hovland Injury Halves Singles

Luke Donald defends the long-standing captains' agreement that sets the procedure for injury withdrawals.

Overview

  • Viktor Hovland withdrew from his Sunday singles with a neck injury, triggering the envelope provision that sidelined Harris English and resulted in a halved match.
  • U.S. captain Keegan Bradley said the rule "has to change," arguing the current half-point outcome confers an unfair advantage.
  • European captain Luke Donald said the rule remains appropriate, citing its long use and the captains' agreement that governs such situations.
  • The mechanism has been used only on rare occasions in Ryder Cup history, including instances in 1991 with Steve Pate and in 1993 with Sam Torrance that influenced final tallies.
  • Potential reforms under discussion include converting the result to a full forfeit or adding stricter medical verification, with any adjustments requiring negotiation by future captains and committees.