Viktor Hovland Sidelined on Sunday as Ryder Cup USA Comeback Falls Short

Viktor Hovland’s Ryder Cup weekend ended earlier than anyone expected. The former Oklahoma State standout was forced to withdraw from his Sunday singles match at Bethpage Black with a neck injury that flared up on Saturday. Europe had placed his name in the “secret envelope,” matched against Harris English, which meant the match was recorded as a half-point.

It was a tough break for Hovland, who had been a steady presence in Europe’s earlier sessions. Instead of a chance to add to his record, he watched from the sidelines as the Americans nearly pulled off the biggest comeback in Ryder Cup history. Team USA won 8.5 of 12 points on Sunday, but needed 10 to get the Cup back. Europe closed it out, continuing their run of dominance since the modern format began.

For OSU fans, the weekend still carried weight. Hovland might not have finished the fight in New York, but he was honored back home in Stillwater with induction into the Oklahoma State Athletics Hall of Honor. It wasn’t the Ryder Cup finish he wanted, but it was another reminder that Hovland’s name sits alongside the best to ever wear orange.