Henrik Stenson has hit out at the decision to strip him of the European Ryder Cup captaincy after he joined LIV Golf.
It was confirmed on Wednesday that the 46-year-old had been removed from the position, as a result of his decision to join the Saudi-backed series for a reported £40million signing-on fee.
Rumours of Stenson’s involvement in the breakaway tour have been intensifying in recent days, and it he has now confirmed the move.
However, in a long statement posted on social media, Stenson claimed he should still have been able to keep the Ryder Cup captaincy and that he was frustrated with the move to axe him.
“As many of you will already have seen, unfortunately my decision to play in LIV events has triggered Ryder Cup Europe to communicate that it is not possible for me to continue in my role as Ryder Cup captain,” Stenson said.
“This is despite me making specific arrangements with LIV Golf, who have been supportive of my role as captain, to ensure I could fulfill the obligations of the captaincy.
“While I disagree with this decision, for now it is a decision that I accept. I have huge respect and admiration for the Ryder Cup and those individuals behind it who I know are doing their utmost to act in the best interests of the historic event.
“I want to thank everyone I have worked with to date to prepare for Rome in 2023, I am hugely disappointed to not be allowed to not be allowed to continue in my role but wish you all the best in your ongoing preparations.”
— Henrik Stenson (@henrikstenson) July 20, 2022
Stenson went on to confirm that his decision to join the LIV series was “commercially driven” to an extent, though insisted factors such the format and schedule also played a role. The Swede revealed his hope that the opportunity to represent Europe in some form at the Ryder Cup will come again in the futue.
His focus will now turn to the third LIV event, which takes place at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey next week. Stenson will join the likes of Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau.
It remains to be seen who will replace him as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain for next year’s event in Italy, with the likes of Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia also involved in the LIV series. Luke Donald and Thomas Bjorn, who led Europe to victory in 2018, appear to be the most likely candidates.
