The Ryder Cup is now just one day away from starting, and fan excitement has reached fever pitch ahead of the eagerly anticipated clash between the United States and Europe.
Viktor Hovland is set to make his third Ryder Cup appearance this week, no small feat given the fact that he’s just 28 years old.
The man from Norway is a very popular figure on the PGA Tour but he will not be getting much support at Bethpage Black this week.
Hovland’s driving has been concerning ahead of the Ryder Cup, but things have turned in a positive direction for him over the past few days.
The European star enjoyed an encouraging range session at Bethpage on Tuesday, and he’ll head into the Ryder Cup with renewed optimism after what has been a challenging 2025 season.
Hovland’s amazing Ryder Cup partnership with Ludvig Aberg is expected to be kept together at Bethpage.
That’s bad news for the Americans, after they dished out an all-time record 9&7 beating to Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka in Rome two years ago.
Hovland’s improvement on the range earlier this week came at just the right time, with inclement weather setting in over Upstate New York on Thursday and no more practice possible for either team.
Viktor Hovland gives his honest opinion on potential Ryder Cup rule change
Bethpage Black is set to change considerably this week after the storm caused a deluge that flooded the golf course.
The course will obviously play a lot longer than was previously expected due to the soft fairways.
And a really big change could well be called on.
Lift, clean and place to come into effect at Bethpage on day one of the Ryder Cup.
There are rumors that the PGA of America are strongly considering bringing ‘preferred lies’ into play on Friday.
Hovland responded to reporters when asked about the prospect of having ball in hand this week.
He said: “I mean, I think it’s the right thing to do if it gets super, you know, super wet out there and it’s just mud ball on every hole. I don’t think that’s what the people want to see. I think it’s maybe another discussion whether we are going to have a club length or a scorecard. Usually in Europe we have a scorecard. In the U.S. we have a club length. I think that can maybe influence how we play a little too much, especially around the greens and then in terms of angles and stuff.
“But I think it is kind of necessary. If you’re getting mud balls on every hole, I just don’t think that’s great TV.“
I’m not sure why it’s even a debate. If the fairways are as drenched as they seem on television, lift, clean and place should be an absolute no-brainer.
Most recent use of preferred lies at the Ryder Cup
The preferred lies rule has not been implemented at the Ryder Cup for 15 years now.
Back in 2010, the course at the Celtic Manor Resort was drenched after a torrent of rain.
It’s perhaps no surprise that the competition rolled on into Monday before it finished.
Europe won the trophy that year and they will, of course, be hoping that history repeats itself at Bethpage Black this time around.
While implementing the lift, clean and place rule means that the game will not be played in its purest form, the Ryder Cup will definitely be a better spectacle for fans without the threat of the dreaded ‘mud-ball’.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
