Golf ace to lose major honor amid links to Saudi breakaway tour – media – RT Sport News

Swede Henrik Stenson looks set to miss what would be one of the highlights of his professional career, amid reports that he will be stripped of his role as captain of the European Ryder Cup team due to his decision to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational series.

Stenson, winner of the British Open in 2016, was set to lead the European side against their American counterparts in next September’s Ryder Cup – an honor often considered one of the greatest achievements a player can have in their career.

He has been linked to the new breakaway group that has already lured several players away from the PGA Tour with the promise of hugely inflated event purses; although players who do so are « blacklisted » from the most prestigious but least lucrative PGA competitions.

Speaking to the media after failing to make the cut at the St. Andrews Open on Friday, the 46-year-old said he was « undecidedabout his future – but now looks certain to become the latest rebel to join the new golf infrastructure, according to Sky Sports.

Stenson, who has appeared in the Ryder Cup five times, was named team captain in March and Zach Johnson is expected to lead Team USA at the event in Italy next year.

But now it looks like the Swede is the latest high profile defector and will join Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Rickie Fowler, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia (among several others) in the new but highly controversial invitational series.

USA captain Zach Johnson has also confirmed that any USA players who join LIV Golf will not be available for selection to Team USA.

Meanwhile, Stenson could also be joined by 2022 Open winner Cameron Smith, who declined to rule out joining fellow PGA rebels shortly after winning last weekend at St. Andrews. , where he propelled Rory McIlroy to the crown.

« I don’t know, mate“, said the Australian when pressed on the question.

« My team is worried about all this. I’m here to win golf tournaments. I just won the Open, and you’re asking me about it. I think it’s not good.”

Players who participate in LIV Golf events are automatically banned from the PGA Tour, which has also confirmed that ranking points will not be awarded for LIV tournaments, meaning players involved will likely drop in the global rankings.

Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey will host the next LIV Golf Invitational Series event beginning July 29.

Critics of the new Saudi-funded group say it is another example of the country’s desire to ‘sportswash’ its reputation on the international stage, and comes after Saudi Arabia also hosted several other large-scale sporting events in boxing and formula. 1.

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