Ryder Cup star makes feelings clear on rule change after angry Team USA demand

The controversial rule in the Ryder Cup that saw Viktor Hovland land half a point despite not being fit enough to play should remain according to the Norwegian, despite the subsequent fallout

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Viktor Hovland maintains the controversial Ryder Cup rule that saw him earn half a point despite being absent through injury should remain - citing it is a "more of a gentleman's agreement" - despite USA skipper Keegan Bradley calling for change.

Europe claimed a stunning win on American soil, something they'd only achieve four times in the past. The hosts were outclassed in the first two days, but mounted a huge comeback during the Sunday singles. Before it began though Hovland had to pull out through injury, something he had been nursing. It meant Harris English didn't get the chance to fight America's case and they had to half the match.

At the Solheim Cup - the women's equivalent to the Ryder Cup - the envelope rule does not exist. If a player pulls out through injury, the opposition is awarded the full point. In this year's Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, Europe won 15-13 come the end and Hovland is comfortable with the rule staying as it is.

The Norwegian said: “The whole situation was pretty upsetting. Just the fact that I didn't get to play and I felt really bad for Harris, who also didn't get to play a match, even though there's nothing wrong with him. He didn’t get to play and he was upset about that and I felt very bad for not being able to compete.

“It's tough. We're so used to in sports that if you can't play because you're hurt, that's should be a loss of points. But I think in the spirit of the Ryder Cup and the history of it, knowing that this Ryder Cup is just part of many, many Ryder Cups to come, I think it's more of a gentleman's agreement that, okay, you were hurt this time, but maybe next time there's a guy on the US team (who gets hurt), and we're all kind of sympathetic about the person that’s hurt and not being able to play."

Hovland did suggest that if the rule is change then it could impact on selection and who goes out when on the Sunday. The 28-year-old suggesting that captains will just put out their injured player early knowing they would likely face one of the opposition's best performers.

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He suggested that a skipper "can just put me out as a sacrificial lamb and take the L against their best player". Has he faced English it wouldn't have chance the end score, but the dynamics may have been different. Hovland confessing "I don't think there's any ideal way to do it".

Bradley, who has to endured being a rare American captain who lost on home soil, was adamant that the rule needs to go by the time the two teams return to face each other in Ireland in two years time.

"It has to change," he said after the defeat. "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's Luke Donald though was adamant that nothing needed to be tweaked, citing occasions when it has worked in the favour of the Americans. "The rule is the rule and it's been in place for a long time," he said.