American captain Keegan Bradley has demanded urgent changes to the Ryder Cup's injury withdrawal regulations, following Team Europe's triumph.
The controversy erupted after Norway's Viktor Hovland was unable to compete in Sunday's Singles matches due to a neck problem.
Under existing regulations, when a player cannot participate through injury, both sides receive half a point each. This situation meant Team USA's Harris English was stood down as the corresponding player.
The regulation proved crucial to Sunday's outcome, with Europe requiring just two points to secure the trophy after the shared point was awarded. Shane Lowry ultimately clinched retention before Tyrell Hatton's half-point sealed victory.
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Keegan Bradley has voiced his displeasure for the injury rule after Team Europe won the Ryder Cup
|REUTERS
Bradley expressed frustration that his team had to forfeit half a point before Singles play commenced.
He said: "It has to change. I think it's obvious to everybody that rule needs to change by the next Ryder Cup."
This year marked Team USA's first home defeat since 2012, despite mounting a determined comeback in the Singles matches. The injury-related point division left Bradley's squad facing an uphill battle from the outset.
The American captain's frustration centred on the automatic awarding of half-points when injuries occur. He argued the current system unfairly penalises teams regardless of circumstances, insisting modifications must be implemented before the next competition.
European captain Luke Donald firmly rejected Bradley's proposal, emphasising that Americans have previously benefited from the identical provision.
He highlighted the regulation has existed since 1971 and has aided Team USA on multiple occasions.
"The US have used it before. The rule is the rule and it's been in place for a long time," Donald said.
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Keegan Bradley was left annoyed after Team Europe only needed two points to retain before play had begun on Sunday
|REUTERS
He cited specific examples, including Steve Pate's withdrawal in 1991 during a closely contested match that finished 14 1/2 - 13 1/2.
Donald also referenced the 1993 competition when Scotland's Sam Torrance couldn't participate due to a toe injury, resulting in an American victory. These historical precedents, he argued, demonstrate the regulation's long-standing fairness across both teams.
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The pre-tournament captain's agreement stipulates that team leaders must submit a sealed envelope identifying which player would be withdrawn if an opponent cannot compete due to illness or injury. Such matches are automatically recorded as ties.
Bradley had nominated English in his envelope, which explains why the American was prevented from competing when Hovland withdrew.
Team USA out in an impressive perfromance on Sunday to save Keegan Bradley an embarrassing defeat
|GETTY
Donald defended the Norwegian's absence whilst expressing confidence in his ability.
"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," Donald remarked. The European captain stressed that contracts and captain's agreements exist specifically to address such unforeseen circumstances.