KEEGAN BRADLEY has called for an immediate Ryder Cup rule change atfer Team Europe’s victory.
The Team USA captain oversaw a spirited fightback in the Singles on Sunday but it was not enough to avoid a first defeat on home soil since 2012.
Team Europe captain Luke Donald dismissed the claim[/caption]
Viktor Hovland’s injury gave Team Europe a crucial half point[/caption]
But the task was made harder for Bradley and his players before a ball had even been struck in the final session, because of an injury to Team Europe’s Viktor Hovland.
The Norwegian was forced to sit out because of a neck injury, with Harris English withdrawn by Bradley.
That meant the point was shared, leaving just two points needed for Team Europe to retain the Ryder Cup, which was secured by Shane Lowry before Tyrell Hatton won it with a half point.
However Bradley was not happy about having to concede half a point because of the injury, and called for change.
He said, “It has to change. I think it’s obvious to everybody… that rule needs to change by the next Ryder Cup.”
Team Europe captain Luke Donald dismissed the suggestion and pointed out the fact it has benefited Team USA in the past.
The pair also had a captain’s agreement that was made before the tournament started.
The agreement reads, “When the captains lodge their team selection for Singles play, they must provide a sealed envelope containing the name of one player who is regarded as having been paired with a player who, through illness, injury or other emergency reason, has to withdraw from the other side.
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“Such pairing is regarded as a tied match.”
English was the name submitted in the envelope by Bradley, which is why he was the one to miss the Singles.
Donald was asked about Bradley’s call for change.
He responded, “The US have used it before. The rule is the rule and it’s been in place for a long time.
I think it’s been in place since 1971. The U.S. have used it before. I think it happened in 1991 with Steve Pate. That was a tight Ryder Cup, too, 14½-13½.
“It happened in 1993; Sam Torrance couldn’t play with an injured toe. The U.S. won that one.
“We have contracts for a reason, a captains’ agreement for a reason, for situations that occur.
“I want to center it back to Viktor; I would have had absolute faith in him to deliver a point today. He couldn’t play. He was gutted.”
