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Henrik Stenson has confirmed that he’ll be part of the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf sequence and says he’s “disillusioned” to be shedding Europe’s Ryder Cup captaincy on account of his determination.
Stenson was stripped of the captaincy earlier on Wednesday amid hypothesis that he was set to affix the breakaway tour, leaving Europe’s preparations in turmoil forward of subsequent September’s contest in Rome.
The 46-year-old Swede, who beforehand claimed that captaining Europe was a “dream” and insisted that he was “totally dedicated” to the crew, stated it was clear that his determination had been, partly, “commercially pushed”.
Stenson, who gained the Open in 2016 and is a two-time European participant of the yr, will function within the third LIV Golf occasion subsequent week in Bedminster, New Jersey, the place prize cash at single occasions stands at a complete of £20 million.
In an announcement, Stenson stated: “Sadly my determination to play in LIV occasions has triggered Ryder Cup Europe to speak that it isn’t doable for me to proceed in my position as Ryder Cup captain.
“That is regardless of me making particular preparations with LIV golf, who’ve been supportive of my position as captain, to make sure I might fulfil the obligations of the captaincy. Whereas I disagree with this determination, for now it’s a determination that I settle for.
“I’m massively disillusioned to not be allowed to proceed in my position however want you all the perfect in your ongoing preparations.”
The inclusion of the phrases “for now” within the assertion depart Stenson’s that means open to interpretation.
Fellow LIV rebels, led by the likes of Ian Poulter, efficiently challenged in court docket a call by the DP World Tour, previously the European Tour, to ban them from taking part in within the Scottish Open earlier this month.
Stenson was named as captain in March and the DP World Tour, had issued warnings that any participant to join the profitable LIV Golf wouldn’t be eligible to take part within the Ryder Cup.
And, after discussions with Ryder Cup Europe officers, the choice was made to successfully sack him as captain
Poulter, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell, who had been all potential future Ryder Cup captains as stalwarts of the European crew, are additionally ineligble after becoming a member of LIV Golf forward of its first occasion in St Albans final month.
Stenson added: “Clearly part of my determination to play in LIV golf occasions has been commercially pushed however the format, schedule and calibre of participant had been additionally vital elements. I’m dedicated to rising the sport and utilizing the sport as a power for good.”
Former skipper Thomas Bjorn, who led them to victory at Le Golf Nationwide in Paris in 2018, is already on the crew after Stenson chosen him as his first vice-captain.
Selling him again to the highest job would appear essentially the most simple possibility, with the occasion solely 14 months away.
Italian Edoardo Molinari, who, alongside his brother Francesco, was a part of the victorious 2010 at Celtic Manor in Wales, can be a vice-captain, however it might appear too massive a step at this stage for him to take over.
Luke Donald, who was pipped to the appointment by Stenson, is an alternative choice who might be parachuted in.
Extra reporting by PA
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