To say they wasted no time would be an understatement: Ryder Cup Europe executives removed Henrik Stenson as their captain for next year’s event even before he was announced as a new LIV Golf recruit.
After a prolonged and increasingly loud period of speculation, Henrik Stenson, who was named captain of the Old World side in Italy for next year in March, has been relieved of his duties.
It also counts as a win on the Ladies European Tour, which co-sanctioned the event that pitted a field of 78 men and 78 women, playing from two sets of tees but in a single tournament for a $US2 million overall purse.
The first and third rounds will feature four-ball play, with the second and final rounds foursomes. For many in the field, it’s a proposition that perhaps takes a little adapting to, given the scarcity of which it is experienced.
A program of this kind had been in discussion for multiple years, and the tour’s Player Advisory Council always understood the value in rewarding the tour’s highest-profile players.
Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Tyrrell Hatton and Ian Poulter gathered for lunch in the clubhouse after their rough first rounds and Poulter (of course) took the opportunity to document their collective struggles.
But in case you needed more proof that Stenson is one of golf’s last true Good Guys, the Iceman delivered overnight, taking a break from his opening round at the Saudi International to fetch a young spectator’s soccer ball out of the literal ocean.
Australian Golf Digest
