Henrik Stenson AXED by Swedish Golf Federation after joining LIV Golf
The Swedish Golf Federation has severed its ties with Henrik Stenson, saying he can no longer act as role model for junior golfers after he joined LIV Golf.
The Swedish Golf Federation has severed its ties with Henrik Stenson after he joined the LIV Golf Invitational Series, saying he can "no longer act as role model for Swedish junior golfers."
Stenson memorably sparked controversy when he decided to join the LIV Golf Tour before their $25m event in Bedminster, New Jersey in July.
His decision meant that he was stripped of the Ryder Cup Europe captaincy, ultimately being replaced by former World No.1 Luke Donald.
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In a statement to the news agency TT, the Federation's secretary general Gunnar Hakansson said: "We believe that Henrik, given his involvement with LIV Golf, can no longer act as a role model for Swedish junior golfers."
Stenson, who won on his debut on the LIV Golf Tour, collecting $4million after reportedly signing a lucrative signing-on fee, has also released a statement on Instagram reacting to the news saying that he is committed to junior golf.
The 46-year-old Swede previously said "dreams do come true" when he was unveiled as the European captain ahead of the 2023 showdown at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome.
When he was stripped of the captaincy, he had only been in the role for 127 days.
Stenson famously hit out at Ryder Cup Europe HQ when he won his first LIV event, suggesting that he "played like a captain".
When he announced his decision to join LIV, he said: "As many of you will have already seen, unfortunately my decision to play in LIV events has triggered Ryder Cup Europe to communicate that it is not possible for me to continue in my role as Ryder Cup captain.
"This is despite me making specific arrangements with LIV Golf, who have been supportive of my role as captain, to ensure I could fulfil the obligations of the captaincy.
"While I disagree with this decision, for now it is a decision I accept."
Stenson admitted that his decision to join LIV was "commercially driven".
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Golf icon Gary Player previously joked about the Swede's finances when he blasted Cameron Smith's lack of ambition when he also joined the controversial series.
Player previously said: "I don't blame Stenson for going. He had no money, so he had to go."
Stenson now plays on the Majesticks GC team for LIV, alongside Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Sam Horsfield.
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