The Europeans are in the market for a new Ryder Cup captain.
Henrik Stenson will not captain the home side in Italy next year after Ryder Cup Europe officials announced on Wednesday that Stenson’s tenure as captain “is effective immediately” in a release.
“In light of decisions made by Henrik regarding his personal circumstances, it has become clear that he will not be able to fulfill certain contractual obligations for the Ryder Cup Europe that he made prior to his announcement as captain. He will not be able to continue as captain.
Stenson, 46, who was unveiled as Europe’s 2023 captain in mid-March, started at next week’s event at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, hours after announcing on Wednesday that he had decided to join LIV Golf. Jersey. Stenson said LIV was supportive of his role as captain and specific arrangements were made to ensure he could fulfill both duties if allowed to retain his captaincy.
“Even though I don’t agree with the decision, it’s a decision I’ll accept for now,” Stenson said. “I have great respect and admiration for the Ryder Cup and I know that those behind it are doing their best to act in the best interests of the historic event. I would like to thank everyone who has worked with me to date to prepare for Rome 2023. I am very disappointed not to be allowed to continue in my role, but in your current preparations Best of luck to you. It’s a shame to see the significant uncertainty surrounding the Ryder Cup and who will be eligible to play. I sincerely hope that a solution is reached between the tours and its members soon and that the Ryder Cup serves as a mechanism for repair between the various golfing bodies and its members.
“It goes without saying that I am ready to support Ryder Cup Europe in any way I can and I hope the opportunity to represent Team Europe comes around again at some point in the future.”
While Ryder Cup Europe has yet to ban players who fail to compete in the Saudi-backed rival league, Stenson’s captain’s contract is said to include language that other tours cannot support or promote “other assets” that include 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 job at hand. The captain signs the contract. He’s the only one who does that. Players and vice-captains don’t. But the captain has a contract. Yes, those contracts are between Ryder Cup Europe and the captain, so I am fully committed to my role as captain and working hard towards the result we want in Rome.
Stenson said Wednesday that his decision to join LIV came down to a variety of factors, and that he still plans to “support as many tours as I can moving forward” as long as he’s not banned from doing so. The PGA Tour has already banned its members who switched to LIV.
“Part of my decision to play LIV golf tournaments was commercially driven,” explained Stenson. A force for good.”
Ryder Cup Europe said the confirmation of its new captain would be “made in due course” and would not comment further on “any aspect of the process” until then.
As for potential replacements: Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell were considered good bets for one-day captaincy, but all three signed with LIV. Luke Donald, Paul Laurie and one of Stenson’s vice-captains, past captain Thomas Bjorn, are all favourites.
Last year’s captain, Patrick Harrington, said earlier this month that he doesn’t see himself captaining another team.
