Viktor Hovland Withdraws From Ryder Cup With Neck Injury
BETHPAGE BLACK, N.Y. – Viktor Hovland has withdrawn from the 2023 Ryder Cup due to a neck injury, Team Europe announced Sunday morning. The withdrawal leaves Europe with a 12-5 lead heading into the final day of singles matches at Bethpage Black.
Hovland experienced increasing neck pain during Saturday’s foursomes competition and underwent an MRI at a New york hospital Saturday night. He woke up Sunday unable to move his neck, ultimately ruling him out of Sunday’s singles play. The injury is a flare-up of a previous disk bulge in his neck, according to Dr.Andrew Murray, Ryder Cup Europe’s chief medical officer.
“There is nothing more I would like to do than be out there representing Team Europe and trying to help them win the Ryder Cup today,” Hovland said in a statement. “Not being able to do so is pretty heartbreaking. I will be backing my team as hard as I can and rooting them on.”
The Ryder Cup’s substitution rule requires each team captain to submit a player in a sealed envelope for potential injury replacement. U.S. captain Keegan Bradley had designated Harris English, who will now forgo his scheduled match against Hovland at 2:03 p.m. ET.
Hovland, ranked No. 12 in the world, had been dealing with neck pain for the past couple of months.He received medication and physical therapy on the course Saturday, but the pain persisted.Dr.Murray stated that Hovland is unable to rotate or flex his neck to one side, making it unachievable to compete.
Hovland was originally scheduled to play alongside matt Fitzpatrick in a four-ball match against Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay on Saturday, but was replaced by Tyrrell Hatton shortly before his tee time. Fitzpatrick and Hatton ultimately won their match 1 up.
Europe now needs to win just two of the 11 remaining points to secure the Ryder Cup, having previously won 16.5-11.5 in Rome two years ago.
