Keegan Bradley Demands Ryder Cup Change 1 Rule For 2027

The Envelope Rule

According to the BBC, "the rule requires the United States and European captains put the name of one golfer in an envelope that is only opened if a player from the opposition is injured and cannot compete in the final round of singles."

“When the captains lodge their team selection for Singles play, they must provide a sealed envelope containing the name of one player who is regarded as having been paired with a player who, through illness, injury or other emergency reason, has to withdraw from the other side,” the rule agreement reads. “Such pairing is regarded as a tied match.”

Sometimes it has a benign effect when the tournament is pretty much decided (such as this year) while in other instances it can be a difference-maker, like in 1991 and 1993 due to withdrawals from either side.

The Ryder Cup

The 2025 Ryder Cup took place from September 26 to 28 at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York. Team Europe, captained by Luke Donald, secured a 15–13 victory over Team USA to retain the Ryder Cup. The competition featured two sessions each day—foursomes in the morning and four-ball in the afternoon—culminating in singles matches on Sunday. The U.S. team included notable players such as Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, and Xander Schauffele, while Europe was represented by stars like Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Tommy Fleetwood.

The event was marred by incidents involving spectators, including a homophobic slur directed at Rory McIlroy. Rory McIlroy demanded that the offending fan be removed, highlighting the challenges of maintaining decorum in such a high-stakes environment.