Henrik Stenson will now not function the European captain on the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, with the Swedish golfer asserting Wednesday that hell be part of LIV Golf.
In an announcement posted to Twitter on Wednesday, Stenson wrote that LIV Golf officers had labored with him to make sure that he may fulfill his Ryder Cup obligations, however Ryder Cup Europe wasnt prepared to permit him to do it.
Whereas I disagree with this determination, for now its a determination that I settle for, Stenson wrote. Ive big respect and admiration for the Ryder Cup and people people behind it I do know are doing their utmost to behave in the perfect pursuits of the historic occasion.
Ryder Cup Europe mentioned in an announcement earlier Wednesday that Stenson wouldnt function its captain subsequent 12 months.
In gentle of selections made by Henrik in relation to his private circumstances, it has change into clear that he wont be able to satisfy sure contractual obligations to Ryder Cup Europe that he had dedicated to previous to his announcement as captain on Tuesday March 15, 2022, and its subsequently not doable for him to proceed within the position of captain, the assertion learn.
Ryder Cup Europe mentioned a brand new captain can be named in the end. Englands Luke Donald, Scotlands Paul Lawrie, Swedens Robert Karlsson and Denmarks Thomas Bjorn may be within the operating to exchange Stenson as captain.
Stenson, 46, knowledgeable DP World Tour officers Tuesday night time of his determination to hitch LIV Golf. Like different gamers whove left established excursions for LIV Golf, Stenson mentioned he hoped to play on a number of circuits sooner or later.
Its a disgrace to witness the numerous uncertainty surrounding the Ryder Cup, who might be eligible to play, and many others., Stenson wrote. I sincerely hope a decision between the excursions and its members might be reached quickly and that the Ryder Cup can act as a mechanism for restore amongst numerous {golfing} our bodies and their members.
A handful of PGA Tour gamers advised ESPN at The Open at St. Andrews, Scotland, final week that Stenson was ready to surrender his Ryder Cup captaincy to signal a multiyear contract with LIV Golf that may very well be value as a lot as $40 million.
When Stenson was chosen because the Ryder Cup captain, he signed a contract that prohibited him from taking part in on any circuit apart from the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.
One in every of Stensons fundamental sponsors, Mutual of Omaha, whose brand has been featured on the entrance of Stensons hat in tournaments, has already taken motion with the previous tour participant becoming a member of LIV.
A spokesperson for the corporate mentioned Mutual of Omaha and Stenson mutually agreed to finish their sponsorship deal, efficient instantly. Boss, Stensons different distinguished sponsor, didnt return messages on the way forward for their relationship.
Stenson and Englands Paul Casey are anticipated to make their debuts within the subsequent LIV Golf Invitational Collection occasion at Trump Nationwide Golf Membership Bedminster in New Jersey from July 29 to July 31. LIV Golf introduced a lot of the sector Tuesday, and longtime PGA Tour gamers Jason Kokrak and Charles Howell III additionally joined LIV Golf on Wednesday.
Stensons departure is one other blow for the Ryder Cup European staff, which has already had a number of of its most notable gamers, together with Casey, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, defect to the breakaway LIV Golf circuit.
Stenson, whos ranked 171st within the Official World Golf Rating, received the 2016 Open Championship at Royal Troon with a serious championship 72-hole scoring report of 264. Stensons six PGA Tour victories embody the 2009 Gamers Championship and 2013 Tour Championship. His most up-to-date victory on the PGA Tour was the 2017 Wyndham Championship.
Henrik Stenson provides one more excellent resume to LIV Golfs international roster of elite gamers, LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman mentioned in an announcement. His profession performances spanning majors, season-long particular person championships and worldwide competitions have cemented him as a pacesetter in at the moments recreation.
When Stenson was requested at The Open what his upcoming schedule would come with, he mentioned he was undecided. He did discuss scouting the Marco Simone Golf and Nation Membership, situated about an hour from Rome. It is going to host the Ryder Cup from Sept. 25 to Oct. 1, 2023.
ESPNs Tom VanHaaren contributed to this report.
