Viktor Hovland drained a big putt Saturday morning at the Ryder Cup, helping Europe secure a crucial point.
He was scheduled to play again in the afternoon, anchoring the final match with Matt Fitzpatrick. But when the tee time arrived, it was Tyrrell Hatton who emerged from the tunnel to play alongside Fitzpatrick.
Hovland has played two matches this week, both morning foursomes with Robert MacIntyre. Hatton has done the same, partnering with Jon Rahm in those sessions.
Here’s why Hovland was unable to continue playing in the Ryder Cup.
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Viktor Hovland injury update
According to the NBC broadcast, Hovland felt his neck injury on the final holes of his morning match with Robert MacIntyre. After speaking with captain Luke Donald, he opted to get treatment to see if it would improve.
In case he couldn’t play, Hatton warmed up on the range, preparing for a possible second match. Hovland’s treatment ultimately wasn’t enough, and Hatton stepped onto the course with Fitzpatrick instead.
🚨ℹ️🇪🇺 JUST IN — Viktor Hovland is being replaced by Tyrrell Hatton for the afternoon session after dealing with a neck injury following the morning session, per @RJerramGolf pic.twitter.com/Hua4Q8prIp
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) September 27, 2025
Ahead of Sunday singles, Team Europe announced that Hovland would be unable to play, meaning that his match with Harris English would be halved.
Ryder Cup envelope rule
As per the Ryder Cup rules, every team puts the name of one player in a sealed envelope in case the opposing team has an injury. That player will then sit out the Sunday session, and the "match" between the two players will be considered halved.
In the case of the 2025 Ryder Cup, Team USA put Harris English's name in an envelope, so he will not participate in the Sunday session alongside Hovland.
Viktor Hovland from Team Europe is unable to play in the Sunday Singles Matches due to injury.
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 28, 2025
The substitution Rule 3.d) of the Ryder Cup Captains’ Agreement requires each Team Captain to provide the name of one player, in the sealed envelope, who will not play in the case of… pic.twitter.com/GNPYgdzDew
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