WATCH: Henrik Stenson reacts to reporter's 'outcast' question at LIV Golf London
Axed European Ryder Cup captain Henrik Stenson was asked if he deserved to be treated like an outcast amid the PGA Tour's deal with LIV Golf's backers.
Axed European Ryder Cup captain Henrik Stenson says he's not dwelling on what has transpired in the world of men's professional golf over the last 12 months amid an agreement that has brought LIV Golf, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour together.
Stenson was sacked from the role after just four months in charge and faced a barrage of criticism for joining the breakaway tour for a fee said to be in the region of $40m.
In the immediate aftermath of being stripped of the role Padraig Harrington blasted the Swede for 'doing what he said he wouldn't do'.
The fallout for Stenson, 47, was swift and unrelenting. Last September, the Swedish Golf Federation severed their ties with the golfer, saying the 2016 Open winner wasn't a good role model.
Related: Sergio Garcia out of The Open
Like the rest of the LIV players, Stenson has been accused of normalising the brutal regime of Saudi Arabia through sportswashing.
But after the about-face management policy of the European-based DP World Tour and PGA Tour, there is a contention by some that Stenson shouldn't have been treated like a pariah or an outcast after all.
Stenson faced the media alongside Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter - who opened up on their decision to skip Open qualifying - and made it clear he wanted to focus on the here and now. And the future.
Given what has happened, should Stenson be treated as an outcast?
He told the ahead of LIV Golf London:
Watch:
| Henrik Stenson says he isn't dwelling on what has transpired over the last 12 months when asked if he should or shouldn't have been treated like 'an outcast' amid the PGA Tour/PIF deal. pic.twitter.com/vb5KkF59AC
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) July 5, 2023
Despite what has happened, the aforementioned Westwood confirmed he will be watching the Ryder Cup later this year.
"Like Henrik said, I'll certainly be cheering Luke and his team on come September," Westwood said. "I wore the European flag with pride 11 times, and I'll be hoping that they play great and win in September."
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