Henrik Stenson stripped of Ryder Cup Team Europe captaincy after defection to LIV Golf

Henrik Stenson has been stripped of the Team Europe captaincy as he prepares to announce he has controversially defected to LIV Golf.

Stenson recently joined high-profile names such as Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood in ditching the PGA Tour for the new Saudi-backed league, which has garnered intense criticism from Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods among others. Stenson, who was set to replace Padraig Harrington as Team Europe captain for the Ryder Cup next year, is set to join them.

And Ryder Cup Europe have announced that as a result of "decisions made and "personal circumstances," the Swedish golfer has been stripped of the honour. A statement reads: "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."

Former captain Harrington is expected to give his reaction later today as the game continues to be rocked by the LIV Series.

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