Henrik Stenson is Officially OUT As European Ryder Cup Captain As He Makes The Jump To LIV

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 – 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.

Confirmation of the new 2023 European Ryder Cup Captain will be made in due course. Ryder Cup Europe will be making no further comment on any aspect of the process until that time.

Bam. There it is. It’s been rumored for weeks that by all accounts Henrik was as good as gone and no announcement has been made by LIV or Stenson but the Ryder Cup has beaten them to the punch.

“You can’t quit because you’re fired!”

It’s a tough look for both sides here. The PGA Tour and the existing golf powers that be have things like “prestige” and “tradition” as one of its most useful tools in keeping guys in their corner. The Ryder Cup is about as prestigious as it gets. And a captaincy is like golf’s unofficial lifetime achievement award. Anyone who’s anyone (who’s American or European) in golf gets their turn at the gig and Henrik was tabbed as the first of the group amongst his era of European guys who gave us Americans so many fits the past 2 decades.

Yet here is turning his nose up at it in favor of the bag. And you know there’s a significant premium being paid his way purely to lure him away from the role. I have no idea what Sergio got but he’s probably on a similar wavelength as Stenson in terms of where they’re at in their career and what they’ve accomplished. I don’t think it’s crazy to suggest Stenson’s bag was double Sergio’s. That’s how much Greg Norman is willing to stick it to the PGA.

Sad day in golf for sure though. The show will obviously go on and Stenson is a zit on the ass of the Ryder Cup, but it sends a sad message on the state of affairs here in golf. Even if only that the Ryder Cup isn’t able to co-exist with LIV Golf. 

Such is life in this civil war.