Henrik Stenson could be in for an 'uncomfortable week' at the Abu Dhabi Championship according to the man who succeeded him as European Ryder Cup captain.
Last July, the former Open champion was dramatically sacked from his role after joining the rebel LIV Golf tour. The Swede duly responded by winning the LIV Golf Invitational at Bedminster, pocketing £3.3 million in the process, and pointedly said afterwards "I played like a captain."
In a further blow Stenson was dropped by the Swedish Golf Federation. In a released statement, the organisation said: "We believe that Henrik, given his involvement with LIV Golf, can no longer act as a role model for Swedish junior golfers."
He has since been replaced for the 2023 European role by Luke Donald, who pointedly promised he would be "doing a Henrik" upon being appointed. And in an intriguing the situation, the pair will be competing against each other at the DP World Tour event this week.
But Donald has said he has no issues playing alongside Stenson, who reportedly received more than £40 million for his initial defection, or any other LIV rebel. He also claimed the pair have been in contact since the saga unfolded: "At the beginning, when I became captain we swapped some messages and there are no issues,” he told the Daily Telegraph .
“From my standpoint it will be fine this week.” When asked if it will be an uncomfortable situation for Stenson, Donald replied: “Potentially, it’s just a strange situation isn’t it? But he’s obviously playing so it seems like he is fine to be around.”
The outlook of golf's most famous team event remains unclear, just eight months out from Team Europe's bid to regain the trophy in Rome. Ongoing legal action is set to decide whether or not rebel players, on either side, will be permitted to play.
Last week, relations between teams and LIV players descended from volatile to petty when Ian Poulter hit out at not being wished happy birthday by the official European Ryder Cup Twitter account. The outburst from a man previously synonymous with heroics in the event was met with widespread ridicule.
Along with Stenson and Poulter, the likes of Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia could also be ruled out of playing and non-playing roles. The latter trio had all been previously touted as potential vice-captains.
