Stenson set for LIV debut as Trump course hosts event

Sacked European Ryder Cup captain Henrik Stenson makes his LIV Golf debut on Friday as Donald Trump's Bedminster course hosts the second US event of the rebel Saudi-backed circuit against a backdrop of protests.

Stenson was stripped of his Ryder Cup captaincy last week after confirmation he had opted to sign with LIV in a deal reportedly worth close to $50 million.

It was just the latest bombshell to detonate across the golfing world, which has been plunged into a virtual civil war this year with the emergence of the LIV circuit.

The upstart series, fronted by Greg Norman, is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and has sought to lure top golfers with contracts that, in some cases, run into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Human Rights groups have criticised the venture, saying it is a "sportswashing" exercise being used to boost Saudi Arabia's international reputation.

Stenson's decision to join LIV follows defections by several stars from the United States and Europe, including major winners such as Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed and Bryson DeChambeau.

Those players have all been hit with indefinite bans from the PGA Tour.

Several of Stenson's former European Ryder Cup teammates, including Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood have also signed with LIV Golf.

This week's tournament has an extra dimension given that it is taking place at former US President Trump's Trump National course at Bedminster, New Jersey.

Bedminster was due to have hosted this year's PGA Championship major but was stripped of that right last year in the wake of the January 6 riot by the former president's supporters at the US Capitol.

Trump has subsequently emerged as a vocal advocate for LIV, last week urging golfers