Viktor HOVOLAND does not play on Saturday afternoon. So ‘the envelope’ can be in the game on Sunday.
The envelope? That is the Ryder Cup protocol if someone is unable to play Sunday singles due to an injury. Instead of a team that finished the point, the parties agreed that every supplier, prior to the event, would select a player to sit outside – and the name of that player would be placed in an envelope to be disconnected in the case of emergency situation.
That rule can now be invoked. HOVOLAND was announced to play four-ball competition for the Europeans on Saturday afternoon, was then dropped (and replaced by Tyrrell Hatton) because of a neck injury and there was at least some question of whether HOVOLAND could play on Sunday.
The idea was called on the NBC broadcast by analyst Paul McGinley, who also works in an advisory role for Team Europe.
“Yes, the dreaded envelope may have to come into play,” said McGinley on the broadcast.
“Hopefully that will not be the case. We have a great team of physios with us. They were also with us on our practical tour and good at home on all players, a lot of confidence in them, so they will work their magic this afternoon.”
On Saturday morning, HOVOLAND and partner Robert Macintyre defeated Americans Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley, 1 Up, in a Foursomes competition. Afterwards, HOVOLAND reporters said that he had problems with his neck in the last two months and that he took painkillers on the 7th hole on Saturday and received a physical treatment on the 10th hole. He said that he then hit the reach after the game, and he felt that he could not play on Saturday afternoon.
“I didn’t want to risk it before the competition in case it got worse and I couldn’t go on,” said HOVOLAND, “especially in four balls when you hit every shot. I had to come out of the Championship travelers earlier this year because of the same issue.
“I’m going to get a treatment this afternoon and tonight and hopefully I’ll do well for the singles tomorrow.”
The ‘envelope’ has been in the game twice.
In 1991 the American Steve Pate suffered a few days before the event bruised ribs in a car accident. He was sitting until Saturday afternoon, but recognized the injury and the call was made, he could not go on Sunday – and the name of David Gilford was taken out of the envelope.
Two years later a European was injured. Sam Torrance had to deal with an infected toe and he had to sit on Sunday – but this time American Lanny Wadkins offered himself to sit and the envelope was never opened.
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