Ousted Ryder Cup Captain Henrik Stenson To Make DP World Tour Return
The Swede is set to play in the upcoming Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, his first start on the DP World Tour since joining LIV Golf


Henrik Stenson is set to make his DP World Tour return later this month at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, his first appearance on the tour since being ousted at Europe's Ryder Cup captain.
The Swede is set to be joined by fellow LIV Golf rebels, and all three Majesticks GC teammates, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sam Horsfield at Yas Links. Other LIV players who have committed to the event include Patrick Reed and Bernd Wiesberger.
LIV Golf players who are eligible for the DP World Tour can still play on the European-based circuit for the time being, with a court case set for next month to decide the fate of whether LIV rebels can continue playing on the DP World Tour and, crucially, continue to earn points to qualify for the Ryder Cup.
Stenson, an 11-time winner on the former European Tour, hasn't played on the DP World Tour since July's Scottish Open, which came two weeks before he was announced as a LIV player following the 150th Open at St Andrews.
Since then, Stenson has seen his world ranking tumble from 165th to 197th, with the Swede ineligible for any of the Majors apart from The Open, which he won in spectacular fashion in 2016 at Royal Troon.
He won on his LIV Golf debut at Trump National Bedminster, where he joked that he "played like a captain."
"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, has been brought to an end with immediate effect," the DP World Tour announced in July.
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"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."
Stenson will be joined in Abu Dhabi by Europe's new captain Luke Donald, who was appointed as his replacement on the 1st August. Prior to his appointment, the Englishman appeared to make a dig at Henrik Stenson.
“If I got this captaincy I would live up to my word and see it through," he said. "Let me put it that way. I wouldn’t be doing a Henrik.”
Following the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Stenson and a number of other LIV Golf players may choose to tee it up in the Saudi International - the Asian Tour's flagship event. World No.3 Cameron Smith has already committed to the event along with defending champion Harold Varner III.

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, X and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 and 2025 Masters from Augusta National and was there by the 18th green to watch Rory McIlroy complete the career grand slam. He has also covered five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
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