Some Team USA fans have suggested that an investigation should be launched after they spotted a subtle detail during Europe’s Ryder Cup trophy ceremony.
Europe headed into day three of the 45th Ryder Cup with a healthy seven-point advantage following a dramatic day two.
Throughout the weekend, there were several unsavoury fan-player interactions between Europe’s players and the partisan US crowd at Bethpage Black – namely Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry.
On Saturday, McIlroy caught the brunt of abuse from hecklers, with him telling the crowd to “shut the f**k” up at one point as well as refusing to take a shot until the noise stopped.
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Meanwhile, Lowry was involved in two high-profile incidents. On one occasion, he screamed “f**k you” to a heckler before even appearing to be held back from approaching another fan later in the day.
And ahead of day three, the drama had begun before a shot was played when the little-known ‘envelope’ rule was enforced for just the third time in the tournament’s history.
Europe’s Viktor Hovland withdrew from Sunday’s play due to a neck injury, which invoked the rule, resulting in a halved match against USA’s Harris English with both teams awarded 0.5 points.
As reported by USA Today, the Norwegian was diagnosed with a disc bulge in his neck following an MRI scan.
And with Europe needing just two points to be crowned champion, Sunday should’ve been fairly relaxed, but that was far from what happened in New York.
Despite starting the day with a seven-point lead, Europe eventually won 15-13 after a spirited US comeback, as fittingly, Lowry secured the half point against Russell Henley to retain Europe’s crown.
Europe’s celebration will no doubt continue for some time, but several US fans are not happy after spotting a detail as they lifted the trophy.
A video of the injured Hovland lifting the trophy after jokingly pointing to his neck went viral, with some US fans urging that an investigation be launched.
And they were quick to have their say on social media.
One said: “So because Viktor Hovland slept on his neck awkwardly and couldn’t play, Europe was gifted a free .5 pt that won them the Ryder Cup? Sick league.”
Another added: “It’s a bummer Hovland is hurt and can’t play, but it should be an automatic point to the other team. Getting a half point is crazy!”
A third claimed: “I want an investigation into Hovland’s injury.”
While a fourth defended Hovland: “To lift a trophy for one time is not the same as playing 18 on a course. He did not look so happy after he came to the course, to be honest. People shout really bad s*** to him. Who does that to someone who never hates anyone?”
Luke Davies