Hovland sidelined by neck injury; Hatton to substitute in Ryder Cup Day 2 afternoon

Viktor Hovland will miss the Ryder Cup Day 2 afternoon session after sustaining a neck injury that will prevent him from pairing with Matt Fitzpatrick. Tyrrell Hatton was tapped to take his place, a substitution Europe can make under the Captains Agreement when a player is ill or injured before the start of a match.

The issue had been bothering him during the final holes of his morning foursomes, NBC's Cara Banks reported. In the morning, Hovland and Robert MacIntyre defeated Russell Henley and Scottie Scheffler 1 up, while Hatton and Jon Rahm defeated Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay. The results gave Europe momentum heading into the afternoon.

On the 18th green after the morning point, Hovland spoke with captain Luke Donald about his condition. Banks noted that they decided he would get treatment, and if it was feasible, he would go; if not, Hatton knew there was a good chance he would go out. Hatton was warmed up on the driving range.

Hatton's availability to step in was made possible by Article 3.c of the Captains Agreement, which allows a substitute for illness or injury prior to the start of a match. With Hovland out for the afternoon, Hatton would join Matt Fitzpatrick in the European lineup for the second session.

The substitution comes as Europe seeks to maintain pace against the United States at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York. The Europeans had posted morning wins, including Hovland and MacIntyre's 1-up win over Henley and Scheffler and Hatton and Rahm's victory over Schauffele and Cantlay, illustrating Europe’s depth as the clashes continue.

The Ryder Cup resumes Saturday afternoon with new pairings, and officials said Hovland would be watched closely for any change in status. There was no immediate update on his condition as play rolled into the second session.