Stenson joins LIV Golf series and loses Ryder Cup captaincy with Team Europe

The Ryder Cup captaincy of Henrik Stenson lasted all of four months.

Ryder Cup Europe removed Stenson as captain for the 2023 matches — still 14 months away from being played in Italy — when the Swede decided to choose the guaranteed money of the Saudi-funded rival league over the Ryder Cup.

The European tour and PGA Tour have suspended players who signed up for LIV Golf, which is handing out massive signing bonuses to go along with its $25 million US prize fund in eight tournaments that feature 54 holes and no cut.

The third LIV Golf event is next week at Trump National in New Jersey. Sky Sports was among the first to report Stenson is leaving for the rival league.

That meant giving up a captaincy that he accepted four months ago when he said, "I'm fully committed to my role as a captain and working hard toward the result we want in Rome."

The European tour did not mention LIV Golf in its short statement Wednesday after meeting with the Swedish star, only that Stenson's captaincy "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," the statement said.

Stenson is No. 171 in the world and has gone five years since winning a tournament against more than 20 players. He fits the profile of many players Greg Norman has signed up for his LIV Golf series -- major champions whose best days are behind them.

He missed the cut last week in the British Open. Stenson played a practice round on the Sunday going into the Open with Phil Mickelson, regarded as one of the chief recruiters for