Ryder Cup Day 3: European Dominance Marred by Drama and Fan Behavior
The Ryder Cup witnessed a series of dramatic events on Saturday. Viktor Hovland's withdrawal due to injury triggered the envelope rule for the first time in 27 years. Meanwhile, a heated argument between Team USA members and their caddies marred the otherwise impressive performance of the European team, which secured a dominant 11.5-4.5 lead after winning the afternoon four-ball session 3-1.
The day began with a historic victory for the European team, becoming the first away team to win the first four sessions. However, the mood was soured by an argument between Justin Rose, Bryson DeChambeau, and their caddies on the 15th green. The dispute between Scottie Scheffler's caddie Ted Scott and Team Europe vice-captain Francesco Molinari was later resolved, with both parties expressing their desire to keep the competition about the players.
The incident was not an isolated one. Fans' behavior was widely criticized for crossing a line, detracting from the high-quality golf on display. US captain Keegan Bradley addressed the incident, describing it as disrespectful but blown out of proportion. He confirmed that all involved had talked it out. The hostile session also saw Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry subjected to abuse from the crowd, leading to increased security measures.
Viktor Hovland's withdrawal due to injury saw the envelope rule come into play for the first time since 1995. Harris English was chosen by US captain Keegan Bradley to replace Hovland, resulting in a halved match before the Sunday singles began. Despite the controversies, the European team maintained a strong lead, setting the stage for an exciting finale.
