Champion Swede Stenson Finds Himself First Team Captain Dropped By LIV

4 months ago by Comments Off on Champion Swede Stenson Finds Himself First Team Captain Dropped By LIV

In a huge golfing shock Sweden’s Henrik Stenson has been relegated from LIV Golf after finishing 22nd in Sunday’s concluding LIV Indianapolis.

The 49-year old Swede had been by this journalist in what seemed at the time, very tense discussion with then DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley during the 2022 Abu Dhabi Championship ahead of the official news he was being dumped by the Tour as the 2023 Ryder Cup Captain.

This news coming on the back of Stenson indicating he was joining LIV and with Luke Donald then accepting the Rome leadership.

Stenson’s Majesticks GC co-captains Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, who tied for 17th place, scraped together enough points to just about avoid the relegation zone. And Stenson wasn’t the only big name to toe the relegation line in LIV’s recently revamped system.

The top-24 players in the LIV Golf season automatically guarantee their places for next year in what is considered the lock zone. Beneath them, positions 25-48 form the Open Zone, where players only retain their spots if their teams choose to keep them on.

Stenson, and winner of the 2026 Open, finished outside 49th position, meaning he has to earn his way back through tournaments such as the International Series. “Yeah, I think it’s been a bad season for us, no question, both as individuals and as a team,” Stenson admitted after his weekend ended.

“As you can tell, we’re all kind of bunched up towards the bottom of the order of merit. Yeah, everyone has obviously been a bit unhappy about that position. As individuals, we’re in certain positions, and then as a team as well. If we don’t move out of 12th, we’ll play on Wednesday next week.

“So, we’ve obviously got that to try and sort out tomorrow with a strong finish as a team. It would be a nice week to finish off strong here.”

Stenson wasn’t the only player relegated; Andy Ogletree, Anthony Kim, Frederick Kjettrup, Mito Periera and Yubin Jang were also demoted following underwhelming seasons.

Before the 2025 campaign, LIV Golf captains were immune from relegation. The rule was changed prior to the current season to establish greater equality and competitiveness. And Stenson became the first captain to be hit with the new punishment.

Added reporting by The Mirror



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