Ryder Cup Star Withdraws as Late Change Confirmed
There has been a last-minute change in the Ryder Cup line-up after a Team Europe star was forced to withdraw.
On Friday, the 2025 Ryder Cup got underway at the Bethpage Black Course in New York.
Defending champions Team Europe, led by captain Luke Donald, got off to a great start as they had a score of five-and-a-half points compared to the American score of two-and-a-half points at the end of the first day.
To win the trophy again, Team Europe need to pick up 14 points overall, while the Americans will need to score 14-and-a-half points to win the tournament on home soil.
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On Saturday, the second day of the 2025 Ryder Cup heated up at the Bethpage Black Course in New York.
However, there was a late change before one of the matches with one player being forced to pull out.
Due to a neck injury, Team Europe star Victor Hovland has been forced to pull out, with Tyrrell Hatton replacing him to partner Matt Fitzpatrick. They will be up against Team USA pair Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay.
On their live blog, Sky Sports stated: "There has been a late change to the last fourballs match as Victor Hovland has pulled out due to a neck injury, so in comes Tyrrell Hatton to partner Matt Fitzpatrick for Team Europe."
Sir Nick Faldo said as he reacted to the news: "Good on Tyrrell Hatton for getting his boots and gear back on. Luke Donald told him to get back out there, and he said, ‘Yes, boss!’
The Sky commentators speculated that the injury might have occurred during Hovland's celebration earlier in the day after beating Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley in the foursomes.
In a close contest against the world no.1 and world.3 with a vital point on the line, Hovland and playing partner Bob MacIntyre held a one shot lead into the 17th hole and an errand tee shot allowed the US pair back in the match.
Scheffler sparked wild celebrations in the crowd with a perfect iron shot into the par-3 and MacIntyre's poorly judged lag putt opened the door for Russell who couldn't reward Scheffler's approach with a birdie. Hovland still had work to do to seal the deal and sunk the putt from a similar distance to seal another point for Europe.
"I mean look at the tension in his neck, maybe. I know we're speculating but it wouldn't surprise me. When you're doing something with that amount of emotion and force," said Faldo.
Meanwhile, Andrew Coltart added: "You probably wouldn't feel it in the moment too with the adrenaline coursing through your veins just as you start to cooldown a little after the round?"
Sky Sports' Jamie Weir issued an update on Hovland's condition during Hatton's match confirming the withdrawal was purely precautionary and that the Norweigian would be fine to participate in Sunday's singles matches.
Marcus Chan