PAIGE SPIRANAC has hit out at a “crazy” rule as Team USA were narrowly beaten in the Ryder Cup.
The rule came into effect after Viktor Hovland was forced to pull out due to injury before Sunday’s singles final in New York.
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Shane Lowry hit the vital putt for Team Europe as they retained the Ryder Cup.
This was despite Team USA’s astonishing comeback to earn a chance of snatching victory.
The magic 14½ was eventually hit by Team Europe as Tyrrell Hatton tied his match with Collin Morikawa.
Hovland suffered a problem in his neck on Saturday – this led to the “envelope” rule being implemented.
The rule had not been used in 32 years and has only been seen twice in the history of the Ryder Cup.
It sees both team captains write one of their players’ names in an envelope.
If there is an injury to the other team, the player in the envelope is removed from play.
This year’s tournament means that both Europe and the USA received half a point each during Sunday’s final singles.
However, if Europe win by just half a point then it could be down to Hovland not being beaten by Harris English.
However, as Sam Burns missed his final putt the score ended at 15-13 to Europe – which made the missed match less important.
Paige had hit out at the rule that could have cost the USA the title without Hovland even needing to play.
She believes that the point should not be split between the teams but actually awarded in full to the other side.
She bashed the rule on social media in a post for her one million followers.
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She wrote: “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.
“Other way around I would’ve said the exact same thing.
“Either sub someone else in, or no one gets points.”
Hovland underwent an MRI scan after his pain started to increase.
Europe’s chief medical officer Dr Andrew Murray said: “Viktor’s pain started during the morning foursomes.
“He received treatment and medication from the physio and medical team on course during the match.
“He attempted to warm up for Saturday fourballs, but experienced increasing pain while swinging a golf club.
“He also had a lack of range of movement in his neck and withdrew, being replaced by Tyrrell Hatton.
“An MRI was arranged following liaison between Team Europe and PGA of America on-site medical team, which confirmed a flare-up of a previous injury.
“This morning, Viktor received ongoing treatment but unfortunately, he is not able to rotate or flex his neck to one side, making playing the singles impossible.”
