Add Dave Portnoy’s name to the growing list of those calling out a longstanding Ryder Cup rule.
As news broke Sunday that Team Europe’s Viktor Hovland had withdrawn from the international clash at Bethpage Black due to a neck injury, resulting in each team receiving half a point ahead of the singles competition, the Barstool Sports founder fumed over the ruling on X as the Americans lost the Ryder Cup, 15-13.
“So because Viktor Hovland slept on his neck awkwardly and couldn’t play Europe was gifted a free .5 pt that won them the Ryder Cup? Sick league,” Portnoy posted in response to news of Hovland’s injury.
With Hovland’s withdrawal, the U.S. also had to bench a member of its 12-player team — a decision captain Keegan Bradley made before the tournament began.
Both Bradley and Luke Donald, Europe’s captain, were required to put the name of one player into a sealed envelope who would be ineligible to participate in singles matches in the event of an injury on the rival team.
Harris English was the designated spectator for the Americans on Sunday as they entered play at 12-5. A putt on the 18th from Irishman Shane Lowry sealed Europe’s victory.
When reflecting on the crushing defeat, Bradley said the tournament is due for a rule shakeup.
“It has to change,” said Bradley, whose team needed 9.5 points Sunday. “I think it’s obvious to everybody in the sports world, in this room. Nothing against Viktor. But that rule needs to change by the next Ryder Cup.”
The envelope process has been used four times in the Ryder Cup.
The U.S. emerged triumphant in 1991 and 1993 when the process was enacted following injuries to American Steve Pate and Europe’s Sam Torrance, respectively.
Bradley, a first-time Ryder Cup captain, shouldered much of the blame for his team’s performance.
“I’ve got to take responsibility for this outcome,” Bradley said. “We tried to set the course up to help our team. Obviously, it wasn’t the right decision. I definitely made a mistake on the course setup. If I could go back, I probably would have changed that.
“But the Europeans played just incredible golf. That’s as high of a level as a Ryder Cup Team has ever played on for those two days, I think. When that happens, they just beat you sometimes.”
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