| Advertisement |
July 20 (UPI) -- Team Europe has stripped Henrik Stenson of his captaincy for the 2023 Ryder Cup, Ryder Cup Europe announced Wednesday. The Ryder Cup will run from Sept. 25 to Oct. 1, 2023 at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome. Stenson was named as a captain March 15. Team Europe said it will announce a new Ryder Cup captain "in due course."
Advertisement
"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," Ryder Cup Europe said.
The announcement came hours before Stenson announced he was joining the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
A release from Ryder Cup Europe did not specifically reference LIV Golf, but Stenson wrote in a statement that his decision to join the Saudi-backed PGA Tour rival circuit "triggered" his removal as captain.
"This is despite me making specific arrangements with LIV Golf, who have been supportive of my role as captain, to ensure I could fulfil the obligations of the captaincy," Stenson wrote.
"While I disagree with this decision, for now it is a decision that I accept."
Stenson also said he is "hugely disappointed" that he was not allowed to continue in his role as captain.
Stenson, ranked No. 171, missed the third-round cut at last weekend's British Open. He also missed the cut at his previous three tournaments. The 2016 British Open winner made his Ryder Cup debut in 2006, helping Europe beat the United States for a third-consecutive title.
On Tuesday, LIV Golf announced 45 members of its 48-player field for the next tournament, LIV Golf Invitational Bedminster. That tournament will run from July 29 to 31 at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey.
Dustin Johnson, the No. 16 player in the Official World Golf Ranking, is the top golfer in the field. No. 20 Abraham Ancer, No. 22 Brooks Koepka No. 25 Louis Oosthuizen and No. 29. Bryson DeChambeau are among the top players announced for the Bedminster tournament.
No. 123 Charl Schwartzel and No. 134 Branden Grace won the first two LIV Golf events. Schwartzel claimed the LIV Golf London title last month at the Centurion Golf Club in Hemel Hempstead, England. Grace won LIV Golf Portland on July 3 at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains, Ore.
The winner of each LIV Golf tournament receives $4 million, much more than the typical first-place prize for a PGA Tour tournament.
"Clearly a part of my decision to play in LIV Golf events has been commercially driven, but the format, schedule and caliber of player were also significant factors," Stenson wrote. "I am committed to growing the game and using the game as a force for good."
