Viktor Hovland caused Ryder Cup controversy by pulling out of the Ryder Cup due to injury.
In doing so, he guaranteed a half-point for Team Europe, who carried a comfortable lead into Sunday.
While it ultimately didn’t have an effect on the result, with Europe winning 15-13, that wasn’t always a guarantee. The tournament came down to the wire, and every half point was pivotal down the stretch.
That led to speculation as to whether Viktor Hovland was able to play. He did pull out of Saturday afternoon’s fourball event, but his celebration of the 17th green that morning after holing a clutch putt made the European star look healthy.
But Hovland’s caddie explained his injury, which saw him sidelined for Ryder Cup Sunday, to Smylie Kaufman.
Viktor Hovland’s caddie says he suffered a similar injury earlier in the year
This is now a recurring injury for the Norwegian. Hovland was forced to pull out of the Travelers Championship earlier in the year after struggling with his neck. He said he was suffering with the issue down the back nine on Saturday morning, as he beat Scottie Scheffler in foursomes.
He won that match alongside Robert MacIntyre, but was advised by Europe’s physio to pull out of the next two events.
Kaufman had the opportunity to speak to both Hovland and his caddie after the Ryder Cup, and revealed what he discovered. He said on The Smylie Show, “I had an opportunity to speak with Viktor Hovland, and I said, ‘Bummer Viktor, sorry to hear about your injury,’ and tapped him on the back.
“He did one of these (turns stiffly around without moving his head). If anybody’s ever had a neck injury or something, a cramp up in your shoulder, you know you have no mobility.
“Could he have played through it? Gosh, I don’t know. But I talked to his caddie, and he said it’s a very similar injury to the one he had earlier in his season at the Travelers, it just happened to be on a different side.”
While it’s not the same injury as the Travelers Championship, which Hovland suggested after withdrawing from the Ryder Cup, it’s very similar, just on the other side of his neck.
Amidst all the controversy, Kaufman’s interaction with Hovland should be further evidence that he really was unable to play.
Viktor Hovland had been dealing with a neck issue for two months
Europe’s captain Luke Donald said Hovland was devastated to have missed Sunday’s event at the Ryder Cup, but at least now he can finally get right after being in pain for months.
That’s what Hovland admitted when pulling out of his singles match. He told reporters, “I’ve had some issues with a neck injury on and off for the last two months.”
He revealed that he pulled out of the Travelers with the same issue, then added, “I’ve been struggling with it a little bit since then. Not as bad, but similar over the last few months.”
With no major championships on the horizon and an away Ryder Cup won, Hovland can now take some well-earned rest from his injury and come back healthy in 2026.
He performed brilliantly at the Ryder Cup, so who knows what type of season he can have when his neck has finally had the opportunity to recover.
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