Yesterday I was moved to tweet this on hearing that Henrik Stenson chose to turn his back on the ultimate honour of the captaincy of Europe's Ryder Cup team to take the money on offer from LIV.
" The after glow of a simply enthralling @theOpen is barely gone, being replaced by more talk about heroes like Stenson and even Cam Smith leaving for LIV. All the divisive talk about money and greed attached to the game I love is simply sickening"
This morning after a Tuesday meeting with Henrik and the Ryder Cup committee this statement was issued as a result.
Ryder Cup Europe today confirms that Henrik Stenson’s tenure as Captain of Team Europe for the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy from September 25 – October 1, 2023, has been brought to an end with immediate effect.
In light of decisions made by Henrik in relation to his personal circumstances, it has become clear that he will not be able to fulfil certain contractual obligations to Ryder Cup Europe that he had committed to prior to his announcement as Captain on Tuesday March 15, 2022, and it is therefore not possible for him to continue in the role of Captain.
Confirmation of the new 2023 European Ryder Cup Captain will be made in due course. Ryder Cup Europe will be making no further comment on any aspect of the process until that time.
I have, nor ever will be offered $1,000,000, or even for that matter $100 and apart from Stenson's published earnings, I have no idea of his financial plight or lack thereof.
However what I do have an idea of is honouring my word and despising greed.
I also treasure the respect my colleagues, peers and supporters have bestowed upon me.
All this, his respect, his standing in the community that has provided him with the highest praise, and enormous riches, have just been flushed down the toilet.
He and his family will be no more comfortable 20 years from now than they were yesterday, no happier.
When we get older we enjoy looking back on our life's accomplishments and I dare say everyone of us would hold the honour of being asked to captain our country's Ryder Cup team right near the top.
Henrik has sold that honour for a mess of pottage...
Bryan Angus
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