It comes after Ryder Cup Europe officials announced Wednesday that Henrik Stenson will not captain the hosts next year in Italy, saying in a statement that Stenson’s tenure as captain “has ended 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 fulfill certain contractual obligations to Ryder Cup Europe that he made prior to his announcement as captain… and therefore It is not possible for him to continue to be the captain.’
Stenson loses Ryder Cup captaincy amid buzz at LIV
Stenson, 46, who was unveiled as Europe 2023 captain in mid-March, revealed hours after Wednesday’s announcement that he had decided to join LIV Golf, starting with next week’s event at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New. Jersey. Stenson claimed that LIV supported his role as captain and that specific arrangements had been made to ensure that he could fulfill both commitments if he was allowed to retain his captaincy.
“While I disagree with this decision, for now it’s a decision I accept,” Stenson said. “I have enormous respect and admiration for the Ryder Cup and the people behind it who I know are doing everything they can 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 very disappointed that I am not allowed to continue in my role, but I wish you all the best in your continued preparations. It’s a shame to watch the considerable uncertainty surrounding the Ryder Cup, who will be eligible to play etc. I sincerely hope that a resolution can be reached between the tours and its members soon and that the Ryder Cup can act as a repair mechanism between the various golf bodies and their members.
“It goes without saying that I remain available to support Ryder Cup Europe in any way I can and I hope that the opportunity to represent Team Europe in some capacity will come my way again at some point in the future.”
While Ryder Cup Europe has yet to ban players who defected to compete in the rival Saudi-backed league, it has been reported that Stenson’s captain’s contract included language that he could not support or promote “other properties”. which included other tours, leagues, series or competitions.
Stenson addressed those contractual obligations in March: “There’s been a lot of speculation back and forth, but I’m fully committed to the captaincy and Ryder Cup Europe and the job that I have. The captain signs a contract. He is the only one who does this. The players and vice-captains do not. But the captain has an agreement and those agreements are between Ryder Cup Europe and the captain, so I am fully committed to my role as captain and working hard for the result we want in Rome.”
BY Brentley Romine — July 20, 2022 at 12:17 pm
Henrik Stenson’s Ryder Cup captaincy is officially over, long before it began. And now, Ryder Cup Europe is left scrambling to find a replacement.
Stenson said Wednesday that his decision to join LIV was due to several factors and that he still planned to “support multiple tours in any way I can moving forward” as long as he was not restricted from doing so. The PGA Tour has already banned its members who defected to LIV.
“Obviously part of my decision to play in LIV golf events is commercially driven,” explained Stenson, “but the format, schedule and caliber of player were also important factors. I’m committed to growing the game and using the game as a force for good”.
Ryder Cup Europe said the confirmation of its new captain “will take place in due course” and would not comment further on “any aspect of the process until that time”.
As for a possible replacement: Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell were once considered good bets to captain the teams one day, but all three have since signed with LIV. Luke Donald, Paul Lawrie and even former captain Thomas Bjorn, one of Stenson’s lieutenants, are all options.
Last year’s captain, Padraig Harrington, said earlier this month that he could not see himself captaining another team.
