Henrik Stenson high-fives LIV Golf, loses Ryder Cup captaincy. He calls his situation a disgrace

A new golf competition subsidised by money from Saudi Arabia has attracted another big name to its ranks. Forty-six-year-old Swede Henrik Stenson, who was recently named as captain of the European team for the 2023 Ryder Cup, is joining the rebel golf league.

Henrik Stenson’s name has been bandied about for some time with the competitive LIV Golf Tour. However, after the 150th anniversary edition of The Open, where he failed to make the cut this year, the move by the Swedish golfer is complete.

“After much deliberation, I have decided to join some of my fellow pros and play in the LIV Golf Invitational Series, which continues at Bedminster in about a week’s time. My interest in the concept has been well documented over the past few years and despite some unfortunate and ongoing tension between LIV Golf, the DP World Tour and the PGA Tours, the opportunity to play in LIV events is finally something I want to experience,” the Swedish golfer wrote in a statement shared on social media.

Like many other players, however, Stenson would like the opportunity to continue on the PGA Tour, which has turned its back on competitive competition. Several players have even been suspended by the PGA because they entered LIV Golf on the same day as a PGA Tour event.

“Playing on several tours around the world is something I have done throughout my career and I very much hope I can continue to do so. I intend to support multiple tours in any way I can moving forward,” he continued in his statement.

The Swedish golfer was also preparing for his fifth appearance at the prestigious Ryder Cup, where he was even named captain of the European team in March. However, Henrik Stenson can no longer count on that.

“Ryder Cup Europe today confirms that Henrik Stenson’s tenure as captain of the European Team for the 2023 Ryder Cup at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome from 25 September to 1 October 2023 has been terminated with immediate effect,” reads an official statement from Ryder Cup Europe.

According to the Ryder Cup organization, the main reason is that Stenson will not be able to fulfill certain contractual obligations to Ryder Cup Europe that he committed to prior to his announcement as captain.

“As many of you have seen, my decision to play in LIV events has unfortunately made it impossible for Ryder Cup Europe to continue my role as Ryder Cup Captain. This is despite the fact that I have entered into specific agreements with LIV golf, who have supported my role as captain, to ensure that I can fulfil my duties as captain,” Stenson said in a statement.

Although he disagrees with the decision, he is able to respect it, although he is very unhappy with the final outcome of the whole matter.

“It is a shame to witness the considerable uncertainty surrounding the Ryder Cup, which decides who is eligible to play and who is not,” he added. Stenson firmly believes that in the future the simmering between the PGA and the LIV Tour will blow over and that the two organisations will find common ground.

Besides the bigger earnings, the Swedish golfer was also tempted by the three-round format of the tournaments on the LIV Golf Tour and last but not least by the looser schedule. This statement coincides with another number of players who have defected to LIV Golf. They will be able to earn a lot more money for a smaller portion of tournaments.

Source: PGA Tour, Ryder Cup, LIV Golf