The police car merged into the convoy of 13 limousines carrying the 1991 Ryder Cup teams through Charleston, causing a three-car pileup that would change golf history. Steve Pate lay bruised and battered in a hospital bed, his abdominal muscles screaming in pain, while across town David Gilford received devastating news: his name was in the envelope. Their hypothetical Sunday singles match would be recorded as a tie, thanks to a rule that has sparked controversy for over three decades.

Fast-forward 34 years to Bethpage Black, and the envelope rule has struck again. This time, Viktor Hovland‘s neck injury triggered the same protocol that gave Harris English an automatic half-point, prompting U.S. Captain Keegan Bradley to demand immediate rule changes. But Luke Donald wasn’t having any of it.

“I think it’s been in place since 1971. The U.S. have used it before,” Donald fired back during Europe’s victory press conference, his voice carrying the weight of historical precedent. “We have contracts for a reason, a captains’ agreement for a reason, for situations that occur.”

The European captain’s defense was methodical and pointed. He reminded everyone that America benefited from this exact rule in 1991 during their narrow 14½-13½ victory. When Robert MacIntyre laughed at the question about Bradley’s complaints, it perfectly captured the European team’s sentiment about their opponents’ sudden rule reformation desires.

“The rule is the rule and it’s been in place for a long time,” Donald concluded, essentially telling Bradley to deal with it.

Donald’s support for Viktor Hovland revealed another layer of his leadership philosophy. “I want to center it back to Viktor; I would have had absolute faith in him to deliver a point today. He couldn’t play. He was gutted,” the captain emphasized. Then Rory McIlroy jumped in with “Come on, Vik!” while the entire team erupted in supportive applause around the press conference table.

The moment perfectly captured Europe’s team-first mentality. Donald could have dwelt on the controversy. Instead, he redirected focus to his injured player’s disappointment. Meanwhile, Bradley faced uncomfortable questions about essentially choosing which player he trusted least in a crucial singles match.

The envelope burden has haunted captains for decades. Curtis Strange once called selecting an envelope player “the most uncomfortable thing I ever had to do” and compared it to “telling one of them you don’t love them as much.” Captains understand this psychological weight affects their decision-making process significantly.

Luke Donald’s historical defense echoes past envelope rule controversies

The 1991 incident created lasting resentment that still echoes today. Steve Pate’s car accident on Wednesday evening involved a police vehicle merging unexpectedly into the team convoy near Charleston. The collision left Pate with severe abdominal bruising, though he attempted to play Saturday’s afternoon four-ball match.

European captain Bernard Gallacher felt blindsided by the Sunday morning revelation. “Instead of Dave Stockton telling me one of his players was doubtful for Sunday and giving me the chance to speak to David Gilford, I heard nothing until I was presented with the new draw,” Gallacher revealed years later. David Gilford took the envelope selection particularly hard, devastating his Ryder Cup dreams.

The 1993 situation unfolded differently when Lanny Wadkins volunteered for envelope duty after Sam Torrance’s infected toe injury. “I was a captain’s pick. The other guys have earned their way onto the team with two years of great play,” Wadkins explained nobly. His sacrifice helped America capture its last victory on European soil.

These precedents shaped the captain’s psychology around envelope decisions. The rule exists to maintain competitive balance, yet it creates emotional turmoil when captains must choose which player represents their weakest link.

Donald’s historical defense suggests the controversy won’t disappear easily. Bradley’s reform demands are likely to gain momentum heading into the 2027 Irish election, especially following this narrow European victory.