DP World Tour: Golfers from LIV who “earn the right” to compete on the DP World Tour should be permitted to compete in that circuit’s competitions, according to Henrik Stenson.
Stenson, the Open champion in 2016, switched to the LIV Series, which led to Luke Donald being named as Stenson’s replacement as Ryder Cup captain for this year’s event in Rome.
The Swede and his LIV rivals, which also include Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter of England, will learn next month whether the DP World Tour can bar them from competitions at a legal hearing.
Stenson completed a four-under 68 on Thursday at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, his first round on the DP World Tour since the Scottish Open in July.
When asked how he would answer to those who believe LIV golfers shouldn’t compete on the DP World Tour, Stenson responded as follows: “Then, back in the day, when we all played on the PGA Tour, we shouldn’t have been welcomed back.
“There are numerous tours in the world, and in my opinion, if you meet the requirements and are granted admission, you should be able to participate in as many competitions as you choose.
“Nobody has come out personally to express those concerns to me. The other players have been quite supportive. I’ve run across a lot of guys I haven’t seen in a while. So far, this week has been fantastic.”
Stenson responded: “I made my decision and obviously Ryder Cup Europe made theirs. I don’t have any regrets about the LIV decision that cost me the Ryder Cup captaincy. Although it isn’t amazing, it is what it is.
“The Ryder Cup has played a significant role in my professional life, and I wish Luke [Donald] the best.” We’ll wait and see how things turn out on this.”
Donald: I want to have 12 men who are unified at the Ryder Cup.
Poulter stated earlier in the week that because of his commitment to LIV, he did not anticipate being one of Donald’s wildcard picks “in any way, shape, or form” and that, if he is automatically qualified for the tournament, he might even decide not to participate.
Speaking to Sky Sports after leading the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after round one with an eight-under 64, Donald said: “I’m hoping that in a few weeks, it will be clearer from my perspective who I can pick and who I can’t [for the Ryder Cup]. In September, I want to have 12 men that are on the same page.”
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