Viktor Hovland proved it doesn’t matter if you’re a single pringle as he celebrated Team Europe’s Ryder Cup success.
The Norwegian, 28, was having the time of his life as he mixed it up with his team-mate and their wives and girlfriends in the customary victors’ photo.
Hovland took centre stage in the photograph as he sat with his legs spread and his palms pointed to the heavens, marking their dramatic 15-13 win.
It is not the first time he has been in this scenario, either. In 2023 he beamed as he took a photograph with all of the wives and partners of his team-mates after they claimed the title in Rome.
That year, Hovland was left without a date for the Ryder Cup gala but ended up being accompanied by the legendary Jose Maria Olazabal. The duo held hands and cracked a laugh as they descended the steps alongside Hovland’s co-stars.
This time around, Hovland had to withdraw from the final day of the competition at Bethpage Black after aggravating a neck injury.
A jubilant Viktor Hovland posed alone as wives posed with victorious Team Europe stars
Hovland previously posed with wives and girlfriends after their 2023 triumph in Rome
Team Europe toasted their 15-13 victory over the United States at Bethpage on Sunday
He had starred alongside Bob MacIntyre in taking down Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley in the morning foursomes on Saturday, before abruptly pulling out of the afternoon fourballs at short notice because of the recurrence of an issue he has battled for two months.
Hovland’s injury necessitated the rare use of the ‘secret envelope’ protocol.
Under those rules, which have been invoked only twice since 1979, each captain named one player prior to the singles who they would bench in the event of an injury or illness on the opposing team. Bradley designated Felix English.
Hovland’s withdrawal from his clash with Harris English meant the point was split and pushed Europe two points away from retaining the Ryder Cup having taken a 12-5 lead.
And he managed to anger American fans by pointing to his neck during Team Europe’s celebrations, with USA captain Keegan Bradley demanding a change to competition rules. He felt Team Europe had been awarded a half-point that could have turned out to be crucial.
‘It has to change,’ Bradley said. ‘I have a few ideas but I’m not going to tell you right now. ‘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.’
Europe captain Luke Donald had defended the use of the envelope rule, stressing that it has been in place for several years with both teams using it in the past.
‘The rule is the rule and it’s been in place for a long time,’ Donald said.
‘We have contracts for a reason, a captains’ agreement for a reason, for situations that occur. ‘I want to centre it back to Viktor; I would have had absolute faith in him to deliver a point. He couldn’t play. He was gutted.’
