Viktor Hovland has been forced to withdraw from the Sunday singles at the Ryder Cup after aggravating a neck injury.

The Norwegian starred alongside Bob MacIntyre in taking down Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley in the morning foursomes on Saturday, before abruptly pulling out of the afternoon fourballs at short notice because of the recurrence of an issue he has battled for two months.

He was due to be last out against Harris English in the final session, but that point will now be split. 

Far from being a blow for Europe, the situation will instead carry Luke Donald's side closer to the 14 points needed to retain the Cup. 

At 12-5, they are within touching distance of the first away win since 2012 after dominating a chaotic and bad tempered Saturday at Bethpage Black.

Such are the vagaries of the Cup, Hovland's injury necessitated the rare use of the 'secret envelope' protocol.

Under those rules, which have been invoked only twice since 1979, each captain named one player prior to the singles who they would bench in the event of an injury or illness on the opposing team. Keegan Bradley has designated English.

Speaking on Saturday, before confirmation of Hovland's absence, Donald said: 'He was feeling quite uncomfortable in the middle of the round this morning. He got some physio. He was given a lot of anti-inflammatories during the round.

'He finished. He was feeling okay. He went in to rest, and then he went back out to the range to try and hit some balls. 

'And when he got to the driver, he hit one, and it was very painful.'