Henrik Stenson has been axed as European Ryder Cup for next year’s biennial event as the latest rebel set to join LIV Golf.
The 46-year-old was named Europe’s captain back in March but was stripped of that role on Wednesday amid reports he was set to sign up to the Saudi-backed series for a reported £40million payday.
Rumours had been circulating that the former Open winner would make the move after missing the cut at St Andrews. At the time, he had said he was “undecided” over his future playing schedule.
But Stenson is expected to be officially added to the playing list for the third round of the inaugural LIV Golf season in New Jersey next week.
A statement from Ryder Cup Europe said: “Ryder Cup Europe today confirms that Henrik Stenson’s tenure as captain of Team Europe for the 2023 Ryder Cup... has been brought to an end 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 fulfil certain contractual obligations to Ryder Cup Europe that he had committed to prior to his announcement as captain... and it is therefore not possible for him to continue in the role of captain. Confirmation of the news 2023 European Ryder Cup captain will be made in due course.”
His decision to jump ship is a massive blow to the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour) and the European Ryder Cup team, leaving them scratching around for a new skipper ahead of next year’s event in Italy.
Other players tipped as potential future Ryder Cup captains: Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia, have already all signed lucrative deals with LIV Golf.
Stenson is believed to have held talks with DP World Tour officials yesterday over the possibility of playing for LIV while also holding on to his position as European Ryder Cup captain.
But such duality was rejected out of hand by the tour, who have already fined any of its breakaway players competing at LIV Golf events.
Possible successors for the Swede as captain would include Thomas Bjorn, who led Europe to victory for the last Ryder Cup on European soil in Paris back in 2018. Another potential rival for the role would be Luke Donald, who had been seen as the closest frontrunner to Stenson previously.
