Zach Johnson has a rival in the 2023 Ryder Cup. On Tuesday, Henrik Stenson was named captain of the European team for games that will take place in Rome later next year. Johnson was named captain of the USA a few weeks ago, and now a pair of big winners will go head to head at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in the 44th edition of the event.
This is not the crash that it seems to have been. Europe’s pick is stretched a bit because of all the rumors about the Saudi Arabia-backed Super Golf League. Normally, it would name its captain, and while it’s unclear if Stenson will be among those who will make the move to SGL, the whole story seems to have delayed the announcement. (Players who jump to the SGL will obviously be banned from the Ryder Cup.)
Stenson, the first Swede to captain Europe, will be looking to extend Europe’s winning streak at home, which dates back to 1995. He will likely be loved as captain. He’s a great quote, has no goofball, and has a sense of the history of golf.
Stenson said in a statement: “I am truly delighted and delighted to be captain of the European Ryder Cup. It is a tremendous honor and I was very humbled when I received the call confirming the news. “. “I want to thank the selection committee for believing in me and will tell them, as well as every European golf fan, that I will do everything in my power and let nothing happen in my life. the process of regaining the Ryder Cup in the hands of the Europeans.
“The Ryder Cup is golf, and the sport at its best. I get goose bumps every time I put on the shirt to compete in Europe as a player and that will be celebrated even more. in the role of Captain, although for me personally it is great, also great for my country and all the players from Sweden who have played for Europe with such excellence so since Joakim Haeggman became the first in 1993.”
Stenson was one of the lions of the Euro team as a player. He played 5 Ryder Cups overall (2006, 2008, 2014, 2016, 2018) and won a total of 11 points for the blues and yellows, many of them alongside his friend Justin Rose. Speaking of Rose, it will be interesting to see who both Stenson and Johnson will choose to be their assistant captains over the coming weeks and months.
Stenson is part of an era where there’s a bit of a stretch between playing and transitioning into captain and vice-captain, and he’s bound to have to make some tough decisions because of that.
The 2023 Ryder Cup is set for September 29 to October 1 of next year.
