Eddie Pepperell BLASTS Henrik Stenson after switching Ryder Cup for LIV Golf
Eddie Pepperell fires shots at the likes of Henrik Stenson and Ian Poulter for thinking more about their "back pocket to a higher degree than anything else".
DP World Tour pro Eddie Pepperell says no individual golfer will ever be bigger than the Ryder Cup following news that Henrik Stenson has favoured a financial move to LIV Golf over the honour of captaining the 2023 European Ryder Cup team.
Pepperell, who is competing in this week's Cazoo Classic, admits he is not surprised in the slightest to see Stenson switch allegiance and follow in the footsteps of fellow Saudi golf rebels such as Ian Poulter, Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia, Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood.
Related: Henrik Stenson says he "disagrees" after being sacked as Ryder Cup captain
"I'm not surprised at all, I mean who's gone? They're all stalwarts of this Tour, they're stalwarts of the Ryder Cup and they've all gone so I'm not surprised," said Pepperell.
"It's a shame and I think, and I hoped six months ago that none of this would happen, but it's happened and clearly to a person, I think they all regard their back pocket to a higher degree than anything else. That's fine but say it, it's fine, there's not a problem with that.
"It's disappointing and I thought the sport and the Ryder Cup had much more to offer than simple monetary reward for playing a new Tour that doesn't offer up much as far as I can tell, certainly competitively. So I'm not surprised, but it is a shame.
"But the Ryder Cup will move beyond it. The Ryder Cup is bigger than any, with all due respect to Henrik or Poulter or whoever it is, the Ryder Cup is a bigger entity and will always be a bigger entity than any individual and it's important we remember that."
Henrik, just be honest, it was a bucket load of cash and you couldn’t resist it, like the rest of the guys.
Will always love your game (especially those mid-irons!) but what a disappointing thing to do.— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) July 20, 2022
Stenson posted a lengthy statement on his social media channels after being sacked as European Ryder Cup captain.
He also confirmed he would be playing in the next LIV Golf tournament in Bedminster next week.
Pepperell was quick to respond to Stenson's comments as he tweeted: "Henrik, just be honest, it was a bucket load of cash and you couldn’t resist it, like the rest of the guys. Will always love your game (especially those mid-irons!) but what a disappointing thing to do."
Next Page: Padraig Harrington hugely disappointed in Henrik Stenson - "Why not just wait 15 months?"
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