Ryder Cup 2025: Time to update the "envelope rule" after Bethpage controversy

As golf fans worldwide conduct their post-mortems following another memorable Ryder Cup, one particular subject is being fiercely debated. But who’d have thought that such a fuss would be made over an envelope?

As Team USA heroically fought back from a seven-point deficit during Sunday’s singles at Bethpage Black, the pre-match withdrawal of Viktor Hovland was a hot topic of discussion that was still raging on a day later.

Hovland suffered a recurrence of a neck injury during Saturday’s morning foursomes, although he managed to complete his match with Bob MacIntyre with the aid of a concoction of big-boy strength painkillers.

And they won, holding off world No 1 Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley.

The popular Norwegian headed straight to the physio unit for treatment in the hope of alleviating the pain ahead of his afternoon fourballs match with Matt Fitzpatrick. But after one swing of his driver on the range, he recoiled in agony and was declared a no-go, forcing Tyrrell Hatton to abandon any extended lunch plans he may have had.

When he woke up on Sunday morning, Hovland’s neck issues had worsened significantly. The medics worked on him furiously, but it soon became clear that he would be unable to tee it up in the anchor match against a devastated Harris English.

Europe confirmed Hovland’s withdrawal, thus invoking the rarely-used “envelope rule”. An official statement read: “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 an injury to a member of the other team.

“The USA Team player is Harris English and under the Ryder Cup Captains’ Agreement the Match between Viktor Hovland and Harris English is treated as tied.”

That took Europe half a point closer to their victory target, but with such a commanding lead overnight, it was regarded as fairly insignificant at the time. A few hours later, it appeared that half a point could be the deciding factor in the overall outcome.

European fans were thankful for Rule 3.d, Americans were furious. Of course, many of the home supporters conveniently forgot that the rule was a huge benefit to them in 1991, when Steve Pate’s injury was decisive in earning the US a narrow victory in the War on the Shore at Kiawah Island.

And as Keegan Bradley’s side continued to eat into Europe’s lead in New York, the rights and wrongs of the result of match 12 were being talked about almost as much as what was happening on the course.

Ultimately, the eventual victory margin of two points rendered Hovland’s half a non-factor, at least statistically, although it could be argued that the European players out late would have felt under more pressure had the USA been awarded a full point before a ball had been struck.

That’s how it works in the Solheim Cup. Who can forget the tears streaming down the face of Cristie Kerr when a wrist injury forced to concede her singles match to Karen Stupples at Killeen Castle in 2011?

Stupples was awarded a 10&8 win, and that point was huge for Europe as they ran out 15-13 winners.

Predictably, the opposing captains in New York offered differing opinions on the Ryder Cup ruling. Bradley wants it changed, Luke Donald insisted that “rules are rules”.

Bradley said: “I have a few ideas but I'm not going to tell you right now. I mean, the rule has to change. I think it's obvious to everybody in the sports world, in this room.

“Nothing against Viktor, but that rule needs to change by the next Ryder Cup.”

And when Donald was pressed on the subject, he couldn’t resist a reference to the Pate situation in 1991.

“I think it's been in place since 1971,” he said. “The US have used it before. I think it happened in 1991 with Steve Pate. That was a tight Ryder Cup, too. It happened in 1993 when Sam Torrance couldn't play with an injured toe. The US won that one.

“We have contracts for a reason, a captains' agreement for a reason, for situations that occur. I would have had absolute faith in Viktor to deliver a point today. He couldn't play. He was gutted.

“But the rule is the rule and it's been in place for a long time.”

I’m on Bradley’s side here. The rule makes little sense if you have a hypothetical browse of other sports.

If a Wimbledon finalist pulls out injured, do they slice the cheque and the trophy and give them half each? Of course not, and it’s the same for any sport featuring one-on-one action.

Remember when Jon Rahm was six shots clear at The Memorial before he was told he couldn’t play the final round after testing positive for COVID? Did they say: “Well, you’re miles ahead, the title’s in the bag, here’s your winner’s cheque and your champion’s jacket?”

Nope. It was tough on Rahm, and it should have been touch on Hovland and Europe at Bethpage.

There’s no doubt the Ryder Cup committees of the USA and Europe will debate the matter at length over the next couple of years, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a change to the rule by the time we get to Adare Manor.