Golfer Henrik Stenson has been told he’s ‘let the DP World Tour down' after he controversially defected to LIV Golf. The Swede was removed as Team Europe captain ahead of the next Ryder Cup due to his decision to join the controversial series. Golfer and presenter Rob Lee, 60, expressed his disappointment with Stenson’s decision during a chat with Sky Sports.
“I’m not surprised, we all knew this was coming at some point, we all knew that Henrik was going to go, and it’s disappointing," he said. "He signed a contract to be with the tour until post Ryder Cup at least, and he has gone back on what he said he would do, he left the tour with no option really. It’s the worst kept secret that Henrik was going to go to LIV and basically let the DP World Tour down.
“Everyone is disappointed having had an assurance from Henrik that he wanted to do the job, it’s a massive honour to be Ryder Cup captain and sadly for him he’s not going to be a Ryder Cup captain anymore.” In a statement confirming their decision, Ryder Cup Europe said: "Today confirms that Henrik Stenson's tenure as Captain of Team Europe for the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy from September 25 - October 1, 2023, has been brought to an end with immediate effect.
"In light of decisions made by Henrik in relation to his personal circumstances, it has become clear that he will not be able to fulfil certain contractual obligations to Ryder Cup Europe that he had committed to prior to his announcement as Captain on Tuesday March 15, 2022, and it is therefore not possible for him to continue in the role of Captain.
"Confirmation of the new 2023 European Ryder Cup Captain will be made in due course. Ryder Cup Europe will be making no further comment on any aspect of the process until that time." Stenson could make his LIV debut as early as the Bedminster event from July 29-31.
The 46-year-old had been linked with the controversial series even before he was announced as Ryder Cup captain, and at the time he confirmed he was "fully committed to the captaincy and to Ryder Cup Europe".
The former European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie said Stenson’s sacking was “a sad day for European golf”. Montgomerie, preparing for the Senior Open at Gleneagles, told The Scotsman: “It is a very sad day for European golf.”
The Scot, who guided Europe to victory at Celtic Manor in 2010, added on Sky Sports: “It is the greatest honour which can be bestowed on any European Tour player, captain of the Ryder Cup team. It is a shame it has even come to this position.”
