Viktor Hovland's Injury Shakes Up Ryder Cup Singles Lineup

Viktor Hovland has withdrawn from his singles match at the Ryder Cup due to a neck injury, affecting Team Europe’s strategy. The decision gives Europe a 12-5 lead as per the agreed rules. Hovland, struggling with a neck disc bulge, had earlier played in a victorious foursome match before his condition worsened.

Europe's Viktor Hovland has withdrawn from his singles match at Bethpage Black due to a neck injury. This decision places his team 2-1/2 points away from securing the Ryder Cup victory.

Under Ryder Cup rules, Hovland's scheduled match against American Harris English is marked as a tie, granting Europe a 12-5 lead going into the final 11 singles matches. Hovland expressed his disappointment, stating, "Not being able to do so is pretty heartbreaking. I will be backing my team as hard as I can and rooting them on."

Ryder Cup Europe's Chief Medical Officer confirmed an MRI showed Hovland has a flare-up of a previous neck disc bulge. After playing a successful match with Robert MacIntyre, Hovland needed treatment and felt increased pain later, leading to the invocation of the 'envelope rule' to manage the lineup.

(With inputs from agencies.)