OPEN Championship winner Henrik Stenson has been STRIPPED of his Team Europe Ryder Cup captaincy – and that might be the least of his worries.
Stenson, 46, has helped Europe to three victories in his last five Ryder Cup appearances as a player and this includes the last home tournament at Le Golf National in 2018.
Henrik Stenson has been stripped of his Team Europe Ryder captaincy
But now, the Swedish icon has had the captaincy taken off him just four months after agreeing to become the leader of Team Europe.
Find out why below…
Why has Henrik Stenson been stripped of his Ryder Cup captaincy?
Henrik Stenson’s commitment of the breakaway Golf LIV Invitational Series has led to his Team Europe captaincy sacking.
The Swede had been regularly linked with the controversial Saudi-backed league.
And Stenson fuelled the speculation when he told reporters that his schedule for the remainder of the year was ‘undecided’ after missing the cut at the Open last Friday.
Team Europe dropped a bombshell statement which read: “Ryder Cup Europe today confirms that Henrik Stenson’s tenure as captain of Team Europe for the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy from September 25 to October 1, 2023, has been brought to an end with immediate effect.
“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 on Tuesday March 15, 2022, and it is therefore not possible for him to continue in the role of captain.
Will Henrik Stenson for Europe in 2023?
Stenson is highly unlikely to feature for Europe in 2023 due to European Tour banning players involved in the LIV Golf tournament for this year.
The European Tour announced in June that golfers would be unable to participate in the Scottish Open, Barbasol Championship and Barracuda Championship.
And the organisers are expected to apply the same rules for players in 2023 too.
Who is next in line to be the Team Europe Ryder Cup captain?
It is yet to be confirmed who the next Team Europe Ryder Cup captain will be.
However, rumours suggest that 2021 vice-captain Luke Donald could be in line to step in as Stenson’s replacement.
Thomas Bjorn captained the winning Team Europe side at the Ryder Cup in 2018
Thomas Bjorn led Europe to an improvise victory in 2018 which makes the Dane a huge candidate.
Scotland’s Paul Lowrie was under initially under consideration when Henrik became captain so his name could emerge again.
And Robert Karlsson is another contender following his role as vice captain in previous competitions.
