USA Today via Reuters
May 20, 2022; Tulsa, OK, USA; Henrik Stenson plays his shot from the ninth tee during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Southern Hills Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
May 20, 2022; Tulsa, OK, USA; Henrik Stenson plays his shot from the ninth tee during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Southern Hills Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
The move of Henrik Stenson to LIV Golf has left the golf world in shock. The Swedish golfer, once against the Saudi-backed Tour, is on the verge of joining the Golf Tour. For his decision, Stenson faced a lot of consequences, including being stripped of the captaincy of the European team at the Ryder Cup.
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Stenson has earned himself quite a reputation in the European Tour. The 2016 Open Champion was named the captain of the European team for the 2023 Ryder Cup.
However, with the latest rumors swirling around, the Ryder Cup Europe decided to strip the Swedish off his captaincy. More so, it is believed that a stipulation in Stenson’s Ryder Cup contract forbade him from competing in the breakaway event. The golf world could not contain their reaction on Twitter.
Fans react to Stenson’s sack
The public widely criticized Henrik Stenson’s end to the captaincy of the Ryder Cup. Stenson once made an unofficial pact to not play in the Greg Norman-led Golf Tour, thus justifying the high amount of berating comments.
Henrik Stenson was asked about the then-unnamed LIV Golf back in March.
This was his response… pic.twitter.com/O0R3B0F525
— bunkered (@BunkeredOnline) July 20, 2022
Earlier this year, Stenson replied to a question regarding the then-unnamed LIV Golf Tour. His response may surprise many at the moment. The Swedish golfer replied, “The Captain signs a contract. The Captain has an agreement and those agreements are between Ryder Cup Europe and the Captain. I’m fully committed to my role and working towards the result we want in Rome.”
The fans on Twitter wasted no time in bringing back this old statement to haunt the Swedish golfer. Moreover, they shared their dismay with the golfer and shared their thoughts.
Everyone has their price. It's a disappointing decision as a Stenson fan, but if cash is all he is interested in at this stage in his career its hard to blame him.
— Sean McCloskey (@SeanMcC1984) July 20, 2022
Wow, @henrikstenson. So so disappointed. A legend of the European Tour. All that I'd have asked is you were honest. To accept and then turn away is unbecoming of you. But hey, your millions of dollars richer so that's all good. NOT.
— Davie J Cuthbert 🇺🇦 (@DavieCuthbert) July 20, 2022
Greed, pure and simple. I think the Ryder Cup will be the biggest loser in all of this. The majors will continue, the PGA and DP tours will continue and (sadly) LIV will grow. For too many people money trumps principles much of the time.
— Sir Wan T 🇺🇦🏴 (@SDM250567) July 20, 2022
Very sad. Is this the end of the Ryder Cup? 😢
— Ann Barr (@AnnBarr4819) July 20, 2022
That ended well. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/ZCM2qwVciq
— Julie Strachan (@SmithJools) July 20, 2022
A disgrace.
— Paul Allen (@paulallen262) July 20, 2022
Henrik Stenson stripped from captaincy
The 2023 Ryder Cup will take place at Marco Simeone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy. However, as previously mentioned, Stenson will not be leading Team Europe.
A statement from Ryder Cup Europe.
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) July 20, 2022
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The Ryder Cup Europe released a statement that read, “Ryder Cup Europe 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.”
Stenson, who played in three of Europe’s five victories during the Ryder Cup, decided to take on the role of Ryder Cup captain in March of this year. The 45-year-old, who failed to make the cut at the Open last week in St. Andrews, is said to have now reached an agreement with LIV Golf, worth up to $40 million. Stenson is all set to begin a new chapter in his 24-year-long professional career.
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With more and more PGA Tour and European Tour stars joining the LIV Golf, are you interested in watching the Saudi-backed Golf Tour?
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