BEDMINSTER, N.J. — Henrik StensonThe decision that cost him the European Ryder Cup captaincy paid huge dividends Sunday when he won at Bedminster the LIV Golf Invitational event. He also earned more than $4 million for his three-day work.
Stenson, who was 3 shots ahead going into the third round at Trump National, opened with a 20 foot birdie putt. He never let anyone get closer than 2 shots the rest.
He finished with a 2-under-69 to win by two shots over Matthew Wolf (64) Dustin Johnson, who birdied hole number 68.
Five years after beating more than 20 players in the finals, Stenson was awarded $4 million for his win and an additional $375,000 to his team for finishing second.
The big payoff, which does not include a sign bonus of about $50 million, comes less than two weeks after the Swedish player, 46 years old, joined the Saudi-funded LIV Golf Series.
Stenson had pledged his full support for the European tour when March became Ryder Cup captain. However, the tour removed him from the job four months later after he changed of heart.
Stenson, who finished at 11-under 200, said that he could agree that he played like a captain on the LIV Golf Telecast.
When asked by the LIV-paid broadcaster whether he felt validated by his win, Stenson declined to answer and said, Its been an enjoyable first week.
It has been a hectic 10 days. He said that he was extremely proud of his ability to focus.
Stenson won in December 2019 the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, a holiday event hosted by Tiger WoodsWith a 20-man field. He was the Wyndham Champion in 2017. He did feel pressure at the end, but it wasnt always like that.
Stenson made an 8-foot birdie putt at the 14th, giving him a 3-shot lead. There were four holes left and two of them were par 5. He needed four shots to reach the green on the par-5 15. Stenson then made a par par putt from 10 feet to take a two-shot lead on the par 5 final hole.
Stenson stated, The putt on 17 wasnt enough to keep the cushion coming up last.
Johnson has now finished eighth, fourth, and tied for second at the three LIV golf events. His team, 4 Aces, won the previous two events, each player receiving $750,000. Johnson, a two-time major champion, has earned over $5.2 million in three events since he signed a $150 million fee.
Carlos OrtizMexico (68), finished fourth, Patrick Reed(69) was fifth.
Phil MickelsonMickelson shot an even par 71, only the second round of LIV Golf where he has shot par or better. He finished 35th.
The LIV Golf series will be off for a month during FedEx Cup playoffs on PGA Tour. It will return over Labor Day weekend approximately an hour west of Boston and then play in the Chicago suburbs two weeks later.