The Europeans are in the market for a new Ryder Cup captain.
It comes after Ryder Cup Europe officials announced Wednesday that Henrik Stenson will not captain the team next year in Italy, saying in a statement that Stenson’s tenure as captain “has been terminated with immediate effect.”
“In light of the decisions made by Henrik in relation to his personal circumstances, it has become clear that he will not be able to fulfill certain contractual obligations to Ryder Cup Europe that he committed to prior to his announcement as captain … and is therefore it is not possible for him to continue as captain.”
Stenson loses Ryder Cup captaincy amid LIV hype
Stenson, 46, who was unveiled as Europe’s 2023 captain in mid-March, revealed hours after Wednesday’s announcement that he had decided to join LIV Golf, starting with next week’s event at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New York Jersey. Stenson claimed that LIV supported his role as captain and that specific arrangements were made to ensure that he could fulfill both commitments if he was allowed to retain his captaincy.
“Even though I don’t agree with this decision, for now it’s a decision I’m accepting,” Stenson said. “I have great respect and admiration for the Ryder Cup and those people behind it, who I know are doing everything they can to act in the best interests of the historic event.” I want to thank everyone I have worked with so far to prepare for Rome 2023. I am extremely disappointed that I have not been allowed to continue in my role, but I wish you all the best in your ongoing preparations. It is unfortunate to witness the considerable uncertainty surrounding the Ryder Cup, who will be eligible to play, etc. I sincerely hope that a resolution can be reached between the tours and its members soon and that the Ryder Cup can act as a mechanism for repair among various golf organizations and their members.
“It goes without saying that I remain ready to support Ryder Cup Europe in any way I can and I very much hope that the opportunity to represent Team Europe in some capacity will present itself to me again at some point in the future.”
Although Ryder Cup Europe has not yet banned players who have defected to compete in the rival Saudi-backed league, it has been reported that Stenson’s captain’s contract includes a clause that he cannot support or promote “other properties’, which includes other tours, leagues, series or competitions.
Stenson addressed those contractual obligations in March: “There’s been a lot of speculation back and forth, but I’m fully committed to the captaincy and Ryder Cup Europe and the work ahead. The captain signs a contract. He is the only one who does this. Players and vice-captains do not. But the captain has an agreement and those agreements are between Ryder Cup Europe and the captain, so I’m fully committed to my role as captain and working hard for the result we want in Rome.”
BY Brentley Romine — July 20, 2022 at 12:17 pm
Henrik Stenson’s Ryder Cup captaincy is officially over, really before it started. And now Ryder Cup Europe is left scrambling to find a replacement.
Stenson said Wednesday that his decision to join LIV came down to a variety of factors, and he still plans to “support multiple tours in any way I can moving forward” as long as he’s not restricted from doing so. The PGA Tour has already banned its members who have switched to LIV.
“Clearly part of my decision to play in the LIV golf events was driven by a commercial purpose,” Stenson explained, “but the format, schedule and caliber of player were also important factors. I am committed to growing the game and using it as a force for good.”
Ryder Cup Europe said the confirmation of the new captain “will be made in due course” and that it would not comment further “on any aspect of the process until then”.
As for a potential replacement: Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Graham McDowell were once considered good bets to captain teams one day, but all three have since signed with LIV. Luke Donald, Paul Lowry and even former captain Thomas Bjorn, one of Stenson’s vice-captains, are all options.
Last year’s captain Padraig Harrington said earlier this month that he was not in sight of captaining another team.
Add Comment