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Ryder Cup fans fume after cheeky Viktor Hovland injury gesture angers Americans

Viktor Hovland withdrew before the Ryder Cup singles session due to a neck injury, but still earned Team Europe a pivotal half point on Sunday at Bethpage Black

[Viktor Hovland of Europe looks on with Jon Rahm as Team Europe celebrate their 15-13 victory during the trophy presentation ceremony following the Sunday singles matches of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course]

Criticism has come in for Viktor Hovland(Image: Getty Images)

American fans have called out Viktor Hovland after the Team Europe player pointed toward his injured neck while celebrating their Ryder Cup win. The Norwegian had to withdraw from Sunday's singles session due to a disk bulge in his neck, a previous injury that flared up.

Hovland played in the Friday morning foursomes, losing alongside Robert MacIntyre against Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele. The same European pair beat Russell Henley and Scottie Scheffler on Saturday morning.

They were then due to take on Cantlay and Sam Burns in the afternoon four-ball, but Tyrrell Hatton had to replace Hovland at short notice due to the injury. That issue then kept the Norwegian out of the Sunday singles.

His withdrawal meant that the 12th and final match, due to be against Harris English, did not take place. U.S. captain Keegan Bradley chose to withdraw English in the event of any injury before the week began.

[Viktor Hovland speaks with Luke Donald]

Viktor Hovland was forced to withdraw from Sunday's singles(Image: PA)

Therefore, neither featured in the singles, but each earned their team an additional point. That meant Europe led 12-5 going into the session, needing just two more points to retain their title and another half to win outright.

Ludvig Aberg was the only European to win his singles match, with Hatton, MacIntyre, Matt Fitzpatrick and Shane Lowry also earning half points. They ultimately won by just two points, 15-13, meaning that the half point from Hovland became pivotal to their success after an American fightback.

Then, during the celebrations, the Norwegian pointed to his neck before taking his turn to lift the Ryder Cup out on the course. That particularly infuriated American fans watching on.

'I'm sorry, but this whole Viktor Hovland neck injury stuff is such a stain on the Ryder Cup,' one fan said on social media. "Neck looks fine in the group photo, and then it looks like he puts on an acting job in the celebration with Team Europe and their fans.

"Dude got .5 for sitting out. That's some liberal participation trophy nonsense.

"Also, I like Hovland. I've been a fan of his for a while, and don't doubt he's hurt, but awarding points for sitting out and then acting like he's in a neck brace in celebration is just silly. At least give it a go like tennis players do."

Another questioned the seriousness of his injury: "So because Viktor Hovland slept on his neck awkwardly and couldnt play, Europe was gifted a free .5 pt that won them the Ryder Cup? Sick league." Others called the situation "bull****" and "shameful".

Hovland, however, addressed the withdrawal in a statement. "Not being able to do so is pretty heartbreaking. I will be backing my team as hard as I can and rooting them on."

Team Europe captain Luke Donald explained after making the decision: "He started stiffening up yesterday morning. Tried to go out in the afternoon but got worse and worse.

"Got an MRI last night. Really, really stiff this morning. Tried to go through his warm up and just couldn't play.

"So yeah, he's devastated. He's gutted. He wants to go out there and represent Team Europe. Yeah, it's very, very unfortunate."

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