The appearance of LIV Golf, the new circuit financed by Saudi Arabia, continues to shake the foundations of golf and now it does so in one of the most emblematic competitions in the sport: la Ryder Cup. In the midst of the uncertainty generated after the creation of this ‘super league’, there are more and more forceful decisions in this regard. The latest one arrived today from the European Ryder team, which has announced the dismissal “with immediate effect” of its captain, the Swedish Henrik Stenson.
Although the signing of Stenson by LIV Golf had not been made official at the time of the announcement, they were There is a lot of information that indicates that the Swede will be at the next appointment on the circuit (next week in Bedminster). Given this, the European formation wanted to get ahead, and in a resounding statement it has stated that Stenson will not manage the team in the next Ryder Cup, which will be held from September 25 to October 1, 2023 at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome. Hours later, it was Stenson himself who, through his social networks, confirmed his accession to the Saudi circuit.
In the letter, the European Ryder Cup team points out that “in view of the decisions made by Henrik regarding his personal circumstances, it has been shown that he will not be able to fulfill certain contractual obligations with the European Ryder Cup team to which he had committed before being appointed captain on March 15, so it is not possible for him to continue holding the position of captain. In addition, the European team has specified that it will announce Stenson’s replacement “in due course” and that “it will not make any further comments on the matter until then.”
The Swedish’s response was not long in coming, and also confirmed his signing for LIV Golf. “The opportunity to play in LIV events is something I want to experience. My hope, like that of many of my teammates, is that this does not restrict me from playing on any other circuit., Stenson announced before speaking about his lost captaincy. “Unfortunately, the Ryder Cup Europe has communicated that I cannot continue in my role as captain, even though I had specific agreements with LIV, who have helped me to fulfill my duties as captain. While I do not agree with this decision, for now it is a decision that I accept. I am enormously disappointed that I will not be able to continue in my role.”said a Swede who wanted to speak honestly. “Clearly, a part of my decision to play LIV Golf events is motivated by commercial matters. But the format, schedule and caliber of players have also been significant factors.”
Stenson, now 46 years old and winner of 17 titles between the PGA Tour and European Tour (one of them the British Open in 2016), It is a history of the European Ryder team. He has played the tournament as a player five times, winning three of them and adding a total of 11 points. In March of this year his appointment as captain of the next appointment was announced, but his decision to join LIV Golf has caused his dismissal. Other historical European golfers in the Ryder Cup, although now far from their best level, such as the English Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter or Paul Casey, in addition to the Spanish Sergio García, are already part of LIV Golf and, therefore, they will lose the next battle against the United States.
“I feel a little sorry for the Ryder, but playing the way I’m playing I’m not for the Ryder either. We will enjoy what we have, we will play where they want us and the others can do what they want”, said the man from Borriol last Sunday after announce his departure from the DP World Tour. “That I’m not in the Ryder is what pisses me off the most. It’s the best publicity event in golf and the fact that, because of this nonsense, there are players like him who can’t be there, it’s something that makes me a little more angry. The Ryder is the reason that I and my family, like many others, started playing golf. He is the best player Europe has ever had. He is difficult to process, ”added Jon Rahm about it.
Meanwhile, LIV Golf is already preparing for the third event in its history, which will start next July 29 at the golf course that Donald Trump has in Bedminster, near New York. The circuit has announced 45 of the 48 participants who will be in the tournament, leaving three blank spaces which, predictably, will be filled by Henrik Stenson (as he himself has confirmed) and two more signings. From the United States, Charles Howell III and Jason Kokrak are pointed out as the candidates with the most options. Sergio García will be accompanied by two more Spaniards, Eugenio López-Chacarra and the amateur David Puig.
Cameron Smith does not deny the rumors: “I don’t know, colleague”
Another golfer who has been linked to the Saudi circuit in recent days is the British Open winner, Australian Cameron Smith. “I know they are talking to him and many others”Smith’s compatriot and 1991 Open winner Ian Baker-Finch said Monday. After his great triumph in St. Andrews last SundayCameron was asked at a press conference if there were negotiations with LIV Golf, which made him take a defensive attitude. “I just won the British Open and you come to me with that question… I think it’s not the best time”, pointed out the Australian, who did not deny the rumors either. “I don’t know, mate. The team that I have by my side is the one that cares about these things. I’m here to win trophies.”
In his eagerness to expand and conquer, the signing of Cameron Smith by LIV Golf would be a serious blow to the PGA Tour, which so far he has lost big names but far from his best level. For this reason, the Anglo-Saxon press points out that the Saudi circuit can present a great offer to the Australian, and thus give a blow by taking the winner of the last major played.
