Viktor Hovland opens up about his neck injury and if he will be able to play on Sunday at the Ryder Cup

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Viktor Hovland was sidelined for Saturday’s fourball event due to a neck injury and was replaced by Tyrrell Hatton.

It was a blow for Team Europe, as Viktor Hovland was fresh off beating Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley in the morning foursomes event, alongside Robert MacIntyre. Hovland sank a clutch putt on the 17th hole, which ultimately secured the point. 

Hovland has been a key piece for Europe since his 3-1-1 outing in Rome, and was trusted by Luke Donald to play two sessions during a pivotal Ryder Cup Saturday.

That wasn’t to be in the end, and he provided an update on his injury after being sidelined. 

Viktor Hovland gives update on neck injury

Hovland had ice in his veins down the stretch of his foursomes match against Scheffler, leaving many to wonder when exactly he suffered his injury. Sir Nick Faldo speculated whether it happened when celebrating his putt on the 17th hole. 

But Hovland admitted that he was battling through pain for all of the back nine. He explained that it’s a recurring injury.

“I’ve had some issues with a neck injury on and off for the last two months,” he said. “I took some painkillers on the seventh hole and then got some treatment from Matt Roberts, the physio, on the tenth tee box.

“It stayed the same for the remainder of the match after that. But I came in and rested up and got some more treatment and when I went back out onto the range, I tried hitting some shots trying to build up to the driver. I hit three or four hard ones and it just got worse.

“I didn’t want to risk it for the match in case it got worse and I couldn’t continue, especially in fourballs when you are hitting every shot.”

“I had to pull out of the Travellers Championship earlier this year because of the same issue. I played two holes and then I had to pull out, so I didn’t want to do that. I’ve been struggling with it a little bit since then. Not as bad, but similar over the last few months.

“I’m going to get some treatment this afternoon and tonight and hopefully I will be ok for the singles tomorrow.”

Obviously, it’s a positive that Hovland will potentially be available for singles. But if he isn’t 100% entering the event, it may be best to rule him out and accept a half-point, considering Europe’s commanding lead. 

Neck injury halts Viktor Hovland’s bounce-back Ryder Cup

It’s a shame that this happened to Hovland in particular, who was putting to rest the demons of Whistling Straits in 2021.

During Europe’s 19-9 loss last time the Ryder Cup was played in America, Hovland went winless. He finished 0-3-2, playing all five events without bringing home a single win for his team. 

Hovland almost won his first full point in America on Friday morning. He took Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele to the 18th hole, but couldn’t get the win over the line to secure a sweep for Europe. 

Taking the Saturday morning win was a big boost for the Norwegian, and he was ready to take on Sam Burns and Cantlay in the afternoon. Hopefully, this was just a temporary setback.