Henrik Stenson joins LIV Golf: 2023 Ryder Cup captaincy stripped after defecting to Saudi-backed tournament

Another major championship winner made the jump to the LIV Golf Invitational Series, and in doing so, suffered dire consequences. Ryder Cup Europe confirmed on Wednesday that Henrik Stenson has been dropped as captain of the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. The 46-year-old is the latest European to change allegiances and joins former Ryder Cup teammates Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Paul Casey and Graeme McDowell with PGA Tour and DP World Tour rivals .

“In light of Henrik’s decision regarding his personal circumstances, it became clear that he would not be able to fulfill certain contractual obligations with the European Ryder Cup to which he was committed prior to his declaration as captain on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, and he is therefore unable to continue as captain,” Ryder Cup Europe said in a statement.

Stenson responded later in the day confirming his move to LIV and expressed disappointment over Ryder Cup Europe’s decision to remove him as Europe captain in 2023.

Stenson wrote: “As many of you have seen, unfortunately, my decision to compete in LIV events has resulted in Ryder Cup Europe announcing that I cannot continue as Ryder Cup captain. “. “This is despite the fact that I have had specific arrangements with LIV Golf, who have supported my role as captain to ensure I can fulfill my duties as captain. Although I disagree with that. this decision, but I accept it for now.I have great respect and admiration for the Ryder Cup and the individuals behind it, who I know are doing their best to act for it. best interests of the historic event I want to thank everyone I worked with to prepare for Rome in 2023, I am deeply disappointed not to be allowed to continue in my role but best wishes All the best in your ongoing preparation.

“It is with great regret to see significant uncertainty surrounding the Ryder Cup, who will qualify for the competition, etc. I really hope a settlement between the tour and its members is reached soon and The Ryder Cup can act as a mechanism for repair between the various golfing bodies and their members.”

All of this clearly goes against what Stenson said earlier this year when he was asked if there was any separatism on his agenda by the end of 2022. may (and has) changed in a short period of time. This is what Stenson had to say in March shortly after receiving the captaincy.

“There’s been a lot of speculation going back and forth, and as I said, I’m fully committed to the captaincy and the European Ryder Cup and the job at hand,” Stenson said. “So we’ll keep busy with that and I’ll do everything in my power to deliver a winning team in Rome.”

He also said that the Ryder Cup for him was the experience of a lifetime.

Stenson said: “The Ryder Cup is golf, and at its best. I get goose bumps every time I put on the European jersey and that will be celebrated in my shoulders. Captain role”. “Although it’s great for me personally, it’s also great for my country and all the players from Sweden who have played for Europe with such excellence since Joakim Haeggman came back. became the first in 1993.”

Stenson added: “When I started out as a professional golfer, it was beyond my wildest dreams that one day I would follow in the footsteps of gaming legends like Seve and become a Captain of the European Ryder Cup. But today proved that, sometimes, dreams come true.”

The 2016 Open Champion has since been added to the leadership room by confirming Thomas Bjorn and Edoardo Molinari as vice captains. With Stenson out, Bjorn will likely be next as Dane leads the European Ryder Cup Team to victory in 2018 at Le Golf National in Paris, France and could become their spearhead to win back the trophy in Rome. Luke Donald has also been rumored to be involved.

Stenson’s decision comes as a bit of a surprise, as he’s not only given up the Ryder Cup captaincy, but is also likely to compete on the PGA Tour and possibly even the DP World Tour – where he co-hosts the Scandinavian Mixed with Anika Sorenstam.

However, this is a coup for LIV Golf. Stenson’s game has dwindled in recent years, but to continue to surpass all the lions of previous European Ryder Cups, it not only offers some marketing points, but also undermines DP World Tour (formerly European Tour), owns the European team of the Ryder Cup.

Currently, the amount that Stenson will receive from LIV Golf is unknown. From a financial perspective, this really makes sense for the Swede, as he was one of many victims who lost a significant portion of his fortune in the Allen Stanford Ponzi scheme. At the time describing the loss as “a large portion” of his savings, Stenson later revealed that it had lost about $8 million.