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Injured Hovland withdraws from Ryder Cup as Europe moves closer to win / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Injured Hovland withdraws from Ryder Cup as Europe moves closer to win
Norway's Viktor Hovland withdrew from the Ryder Cup on Sunday with a neck injury, a move that lifted Europe closer to a historic victory over the United States at Bethpage Black.
Hovland being unable to play against American Harris English in the last of concluding 12 scheduled singles matches means each team will claim a half-point in the team score.
That lifted Europe to a 12-5 lead in the overall score ahead of the 11 remaining afternoon singles matches, meaning the visitors need only two wins from 11 matches to retain the Cup.
The Americans still need nine wins and a draw to make the greatest last-day comeback in Cup history to retake the trophy.
"There's nothing more I would like to do than be out there representing Team Europe and trying to help them win the Ryder Cup today," Hovland said.
"Not being able to do so is pretty heartbreaking. I will be backing my team as hard as I can and rooting them on."
English's name was in an envelope provided by US captain Keegan Bradley to sit out in case of a rival's injury under the Cup captain's agreement and under event rules their match is declared a tie.
Hovland has battled the issue since withdrawing from the US PGA Tour Travelers Championship in June.
The Norwegian received treatment during Saturday morning foursomes and was then unable to play in the Saturday afternoon four-balls, replaced at the last minute by England's Tyrrell Hatton
After an MRI scan on Saturday night at a New York hospital, Hovland awoke on Sunday unable to move his neck.
Hovland tried to warm up at Bethpage but due to limited movement, he told Europe captain Luke Donald he could not play.
"Viktor's pain started during the morning foursomes, where he received treatment and medication from the physio and medical team on course during the match," said Dr. Andrew Murray, Ryder Cup Europe's chief medical officer.
"Following this he attempted to warm up for Saturday four-balls, but experienced increasing pain while swinging a golf club, and a lack of range of movement in his neck and withdrew.
"An MRI was arranged following liaison between Team Europe and PGA of America on-site medical team, which confirmed a flare up of a previous injury -- a disc bulge in his neck by a medical imaging specialist.
"This morning, Viktor received ongoing treatment but unfortunately he is not able to rotate or flex his neck to one side, making playing the singles impossible."
M. Andrade--JDB
