Paige Spiranac slams 'dumb' Ryder Cup rule that derailed USA's fightback against Europe

Golf glamor girl Paige Spiranac has hit back at the 'dumb' Ryder Cup rule that benefited Europe in their historic victory over the United States on Sunday.

Just minutes before he was due to head out on the course for Sunday's final singles matches, European star Viktor Hovland pulled out of the competition, citing a recurrence of a previous neck injury.

While disappointing for the player himself, Hovland's absence ensured that another half-point was added to Europe's total, with his match against America's Harris English automatically halved due to the rare invoking of the 'Envelope Rule'.

The decision to award Europe half a point sparked fury among American fans, given it meant the visitors would need just 1.5 points from 13 singles matches on the final day, rather than the 2 points they previously required.

Among the critics of the decision was ex-golf star turned influencer Spiranac, who wrote on X: 'It's a bummer Hovland is hurt and can't play but it should be an automatic point to the other team. Getting a half point is crazy!'

In a follow-up post, she then added: 'The rule was dumb 30 years ago. The rule is dumb now. The rule is dumb regardless of which teams it helps. The rule is dumb and should be changed.'

The 'Envelope Rule' has been invoked only twice since 1979, and sees each captain name one player prior to the singles who they would bench in the event of an injury or illness on the opposing team. Keegan Bradley designated English. 

The extra half-point proved critical as Europe withstood a final-day charge from the Americans. And after the match, Team USA captain Bradley also insisted the rule 'has to change.'

'I think it's obvious to everybody in the sports world, in this room,' he said. 'Nothing against Viktor. But that rule needs to change by the next Ryder Cup.'

When asked how he would tweak the protocol, the American captain added: 'I have a few ideas but I'm not going to tell you right now... the rule has to change.'

When those comments were put to Team Europe during their press conference, Robert MacIntyre laughed and captain Luke Donald hit back.

'We have contracts for a reason, a captains' agreement for a reason, for situations that occur,' the European captain said. 'The rule is the rule and it's been in place for a long time... I think it's been in place since 1971. The US have used it before. I think it happened in 1991 with Steve Pate. 

'That was a tight Ryder Cup, too, 14.5-13.5. It happened in 1993 - Sam Torrance couldn't play with an injured toe. The US won that one.'