‘That needs to change!’ The Ryder Cup rule that left the USA fuming
Last updated:
The Ryder Cup’s quirky ‘envelope rule’ came into play at Bethpage after Viktor Hovland’s injury – gifting Europe half a point and leaving the USA fuming. It’s outdated, unfair, and stupid.
The Ryder Cup is a golf event like no other. The passion, the atmosphere, the sight of normally reserved golfers suddenly thumping their chests like Premier League strikers – it all makes the Ryder Cup the highlight of the golfing calendar.
“This is what I live for,” said Shane Lowry. “This is it. This is honestly the reason I get up in the morning. This is what I love doing. I love being a part of this team.”
For fans, too, the Ryder Cup is the hottest ticket in town, with tens of thousands happy to pay $750 for a ticket.
But there’s something else unique about the Ryder Cup. The little-known ‘envelope rule’ – which came into play this year at Bethpage. In my opinion, it’s a nonsense that needs ripping up.
What is the envelope rule at the Ryder Cup?
The envelope rule is enforced when a player is injured to the point they can’t play in the Sunday singles.
When the captains – in this case Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald – submit their singles lineups, they also hand over a sealed envelope with the name of one player inside. If someone on the opposing team gets injured, the envelope is opened, that nominated player sits out, and the match is recorded as a halved game.
Most years, the envelopes gather dust. But in 2025, Viktor Hovland’s injury meant the rule actually came into play. Team USA’s envelope was opened and Harris English was forced to sit out.
The problem with the envelope rule
In theory, the envelope rule is fair, as both teams get half a point. But when one team has a lead, as Europe did going into the final day at Bethpage, the envelope rule gives them an advantage.
Sitting 11.5-4.5 down going into the singles, the Americans could ill afford halves. But, thanks to the envelope rule, the score ticked to 12-5 on Sunday morning before a ball had even been struck.
At the time, it looked like it would merely be a footnote as Europe cruised to victory, but then the Americans staged a fightback few saw coming.
In the end, the half point proved hugely important. Had America had a chance to win a 12 singles match, the final result could have been very different.
It’s like a football team defending a lead and the ref deciding to end the game early because one of their players needs to be home for his tea.
“Yeah, it’s tough,” said Keegan Bradley on Sunday morning. “It’s a strange rule but we’ve got to go with what the rules say.”
Which is golfer-speak for: ‘This is bonkers but I’m too polite to swear on TV.’
His stance had understandably boldened by Sunday evening.
“That rule needs to change,” he said. “No offence to Viktor, but it needs to change by the next Ryder Cup. That needs to change, obviously. If Tom Brady gets hurt on the football field, you don’t give his team seven points.”
Victorious captain Luke Donald, unsurprisingly, wasn’t keen to dive into the merits of the envelope rule in the immediate aftermath of the Ryder Cup.
“The rule is the rule – and it’s been in place for a long time,” he said. “It’s been in place since 1971. The US team have used it before. I would have had absolute faith in Viktor to deliver a point today.”
Donald is right. In 1991 at Kiawah Island, US player Steve Pate was injured in a car accident and unable to play in the Sunday singles. European captain Bernhard Gallacher’s envelope player was revealed – David Gilford. Gilford didn’t play and got half a point for sitting out.
The US won the match by just one point – 14.5 to 13.5 – leaving a sense of what might have been had there been a 12th singles match. Had the Europeans won a 12th match, instead of taking the imaginary half, the score would have been 14-14, and they’d have retained the trophy as holders.
Golf influencer Paige Spiranac agrees with me and Bradley:
An event as important as the Ryder Cup should be decided on the golf course, not on a piece of paper. Otherwise, we’re not watching the greatest golf event in the world – we’re watching Deal or No Deal with polo shirts and team caps.
I’m not saying this would ever happen, but let’s say a Ryder Cup player had been in absolutely disastrous form during Friday and Saturday’s play – spraying it everywhere, hitting shanks, tops, and duffs, and clearly set to take a hiding in the singles. What’s to stop that player developing a mysterious injury on Saturday night – therefore securing an automatic half without having to hit a shot?
What would be a better alternative?
Why not have a reserve player ready to step in if someone gets injured? The captains’ picks are normally very tough to make, with several players who could have made a very strong case to play being left at home. Why not have them along for the week and ready to roll at a moment’s notice if needed? Even if they don’t get to play, they’ll gain valuable experience for any future Ryder Cups where they do make the team. It’s been well-discussed how much Rasmus Hojgaard benefited from being at Rome in 2023.
Europe’s Marco Penge was in the running for a captain’s pick and would likely have jumped at the chance to go, even as a reserve:
If a player withdraws from singles in the Solheim Cup, the full point goes to the other team, which seems harsh but still fairer than the envelope rule.
-
The Ryder Cup’s quirky ‘envelope rule’ came into play at Bethpage after Viktor Hovland’s injury – gifting Europe half a point and leaving the USA fuming. It’s outdated, unfair, and stupid.
