Fallen Ryder Cup captain Henrik Stenson will start the Abu Dhabi Championship on the DP World Tour in two weeks. His first appearance on the circuit which saw him born since his departure on the LIV.
If he played it low profile for several months, since his dismissal of the position of captain of the Ryder Cup by the European committee following his decision to join LIV Golf, Henrik Stenson has indeed decided to line up in the DP World Tour back-to-school tournament in Abu Dhabi.
Absent at the Scottish Open or Wentworth while several other rebel players from LIV Golf had chosen to challenge the DP World Tour by participating in these historic tournaments on the European circuit, the Swede has so far preferred to be discreet.
LIV players in force
So it was the Yas Links that Stenson chose for his first Tour appearance since being let go. He has finished second twice in the past (2006 and 2008) but that was on the Abu Dhabi Golf Club course.
Obviously the game misses its players who have all claimed to want to have more time to enjoy their families.
broken pact
According to reports, Stenson signed a contract three months before his ousting. It was notably stipulated that he could not join the dissident league of Greg Norman and supported by the PIF (Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia).
As a reminder, players who left for the LIV Golf are suspended by the PGA Tour, but the vagueness remains concerning the DP World Tour.
Indeed a hearing scheduled for February will determine whether they can continue playing after Ian Poulter, Justin Harding and Adrian Otaegui took the case to court in July. The bans were then temporarily suspended by the judge.
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