The Open Championship winner and ex-Ryder Cup captain relegated from LIV Golf
Henrik Stenson - the 2016 Open Championship winner - was relegated from LIV Golf after finishing 22nd at Chatham Hills in Indianapolis on Sunday. The Swede was set to captain Team Europe at the 2023 Ryder Cup but sacrificed his role b y defecting to LIV in 2022, allowing Luke Donald to take over in his place.
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 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.
Speaking to the National Club Golfer before the 2025 season, Stenson acknowledged his performance levels have declined in recent years.
"It does feel like it was 'all those years ago'. I think that's a good description. I certainly feel an older age, on the older side, reminiscing about tournaments played in 2007 and 2008 and so on," he said, via NCG.
"That's where we're at. I'm in the last couple of holes of my career, and I feel very lucky to have had all of those memories and all those good rounds and tournaments to look back at."
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