“I’m Just Disappointed”: Despite the Peaceful $3B LIV Golf Merger, Former Ryder Cup Captain Expresses Dismay Over His Abrupt Termination

The billion-dollar merger that made the news on 6th June, 2023 has produced an idea of a united front. The alliance between the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour, and the Saudi-backed PIF promised a “framework agreement“. In fact, this even drew a picture of the end of bad blood between the LIV Golf and other golf leagues.

The announcement was expected to be rewarding for the golfers, ultimately. Though, that doesn’t appear to be the case for the 47-year-old LIV defector for now. Following his T13 finish at Hoylake, the Swedish golfer expressed his disappointment with how his Ryder Cup captaincy experience ended. He seemed utterly shattered by how things smoothened eventually overall, but not for him. Let us dive into the details!

The Swede expresses melancholy over how he was stripped of his title as the European captain

It happened on one Wednesday afternoon last year when the news regarding Henrik Stenson surfaced across the globe. It presented the golf audience with the information that the Swede had been dropped off as the captain of the European Team for the Ryder Cup. In his place, the English golfer — Luke Donald — was selected for this prestigious responsibility. This took place right before it was announced that Stenson has shifted leagues and moved to LIV Golf.

Many believed the then-present animosity between the leagues to be the reason behind this action from the European Tour. However, through the latest $3-billion merger a massive plot twist has taken place in the world of golf. This has, though, not changed things much for the 47-year-old who earnestly wanted to participate in the Ryder Cup.

Expressing his sadness regarding the same, Stenson told The New York Post, “I’m just disappointed that with everything that came out. Because there was a big willingness on my part to sit down and talk long before this thing got to where it got to’’. He added that without naming, there were certain people who were not inclined to sit down and talk to the golfer.

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This, as per the golf professional, resulted in consequences that could have been avoided. Although Stenson continued, “But we live and we learn,’’ the downcast tone of the golfer spoke volumes. The 2016 Open Championship winner also stated that the period post his dismissal as a captain was quite difficult.

Despite being dismissed as the European Captain, Henrik Stenson shows a positive outlook

As the interview proceeded, the LIV golfer was asked to shed light on how he might feel when late September will welcome the Ryder Cup buzz. Henrik Stenson honestly replied that he has been part of 5 Ryder Cups; even vice-captained one of them. Despite not being part of this year’s European Team, he would cherish the memories he has made over the years at the tournament. That is something no one can take away from the golfer.

To further strengthen his optimistic outlook Stenson remarked, “I’ll look forward and not backward“. In conclusion, the golfer said that he is not alone to have faced this fate. Even though others were not dismissed from the position of responsibility, LIV players like Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood “all ended up in the same boat“. That is they will also miss the Ryder Cup due to their defection to LIV Golf.

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