Months after the Ryder Cup ended, one PGA Tour pro and former golfer, Colt Knost, recently added his voice to the debate and offered a simple, practical fix.

He appeared on the Trey Wingo podcast and raised a concern about how a few rules need to be added. When the host, Trey, asked him if golf should find inspiration from the NFL's backup QB solution, Knost was fully supportive of it.

I'll be honest. Golf is my life. I did think of that one. You're more of a football guy than I am, but haven't they changed the rule the last few years, teams can carry a third quarterback?"

The issue came into sharp focus when Viktor Hovland was injured during the Ryder Cup, forcing Harris English to sit out for Team USA. Because of the withdrawal rule, the opposing side still received half a point, a result that left players, captains, and fans frustrated. English, U.S. captain Keegan Bradley, and even Hovland himself have since spoken openly about how unfair the situation felt.

Trey Wingo backed the idea, comparing it to alternates in major championships and even courtrooms. He reminded listeners that John Daly once entered a major as a late alternate and went on to win. If golf already accepts alternates elsewhere, why not in the Ryder Cup?

It is not about questioning injuries. It is about fairness. And for once, the fix sounds as straightforward as the problem.

What Golf’s Own Rulebook Says About Fairness

Golf actually does have rules for when things go wrong. Among the most clear is Rule 22.3, concerning alternate shot in a foursomes match. If a player strikes out of turn, the stroke is cancelled. The side has to correct the error, and if it doesn’t, the price can be high or even result in disqualification.

That is why the Ryder Cup injury rule feels so out of place. When a player cannot compete in singles, the match never happens, yet points are still handed out. No shots are played, no contest takes place, but the scoreboard still changes.

Written by

Dolly Bhamrick

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar