Farmingdale, NY – Norway’s Victor Hofland withdrew from Sunday’s singles match at the 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black with a neck injury. This means that the team splits the points from one of 12 single matches.
Hovland, who retreated from Saturday’s four-ball game, had an MRI at a New York hospital on Saturday night. He woke up on Sunday and couldn’t move his head.
The Ryder Cup said Hofland tried to warm up on Beth Page Black on Sunday, but movement was limited.
“There’s nothing I want to do more than representing Team Europe and trying to help us win today’s Ryder Cup,” Hofland said in a statement. “It’s pretty heartbreaking not being able to do that. I’ll help my team as hard as I can and cheer them on.”
The alternative rules for a captain’s contract require each team captain to submit the name of one player in a sealed envelope that will not play in the event of an injury to a golfer on the opposing team.
US team captain Keegan Bradley submitted Harris English, sitting in singles on Sunday. He was scheduled to play Hofland in an anchor match at 2:03 PM ET.
Europe currently has a 12-5 lead into Sunday’s single.
Hovland said he’s been dealing with neck pain for the past few months, but has begun to experience pain in a Saturday morning Foursome (alternative shot) match. He received medication and physical therapy on the course, but the pain did not go away.
“The MRI was placed after contacting Team Europe and the on-site medical team of PGA of America. This confirmed a flare-up of previous injuries. A neck bulging by a medical imaging specialist.” “This morning, Viktor received continuous treatment, but unfortunately he is unable to spin the neck or bend to one side, making it impossible to play the single.”
Hofland, the world’s No. 12 golfer, was scheduled to play with Matt Fitzpatrick in Saturday’s four-ball match between Sam Burns and Patrick Cantray. Shortly before tea time, Hofland was replaced by Tyrrell Hatton. Fitzpatrick and Hutton won a match-one up.
Europe will need to score just two of the 11 points available to secure the Ryder Cup after winning 16.5-11.5 in Rome two years ago.
