1999 Ryder Cup Archives - Golf Digest Middle East

Henrik Stenson defends LIV Golf decision; tried to make Ryder Cup captaincy work

Matt Smith — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 06:15:10 +0000

LIV Golf welcomes Henrik Stenson to the series

By Matt Smith
Henrik Stenson has spoken out for the first time since he was stripped of the Team Europe Ryder Cup captaincy on Wednesday — and confirmed he has signed for LIV Golf, while claiming he tried to put an agreement in place where he could operate in both roles.

Stenson had distanced himself form the Saudi-backed league when he was announced as head of the 2023 European Ryder Cup team in March.

MORE: Kokrak and Howell III join Stenson at LIV Golf Invitational Bedminster

After Stenson lost his captaincy on Wednesday amid reports he is the latest to join LIV Golf, the Swede posted on social media saying he had hoped to continue in his Ryder Cup position.

“As many of you will have already seen, unfortunately my decision to play in LIV events has triggered Ryder Cup Europe to communicate that it is not possible for me to continue in my role as Ryder Cup captain,” Stenson wrote. “This is despite me making specific arrangements with LIV Golf, who has been supportive of my role as captain, to ensure I could fulfill the obligations of the captaincy. While I disagree with this decision for now it is a decision that I accept.”

The DP World Tour and PGA of America had previously stated that anyone who moved to LIV Golf would not be allowed to participate in future Ryder Cups. Stenson made a plea for the governing bodies to reverse this decision.

pic.twitter.com/3gTMJlM9Xd

— Henrik Stenson (@henrikstenson) July 20, 2022

The post Henrik Stenson defends LIV Golf decision; tried to make Ryder Cup captaincy work appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Justin Leonard dusted off the ugliest golf shirt ever and had a nice little 1999 Ryder Cup rewatch party

Golf Digest Middle East — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 02:41:37 +0000

Andrew Redington

By Alex Myers
With no live golf these days there has been a surge in rewatching old tournaments. It’s how golf fans got through a Masters week with no Masters, and apparently, it’s how some players are passing the time as well.

Take Justin Leonard, who hosted his own private viewing party for Tuesday night’s re-airing of the final day of the 1999 Ryder Cup. If you recall, that event is known for four main things:

1.) Ben Crenshaw looking like a crazy man predicting a Sunday U.S. comeback.
2.) Ben Crenshaw not looking so crazy when the U.S. pulled off the comeback.
3.) Justin Leonard’s 50-foot winning birdie putt to cap said U.S. comeback.
4.) The most hideous golf shirts of all time.

Turns out, Leonard still has his shirt. And to really get into the spirit, he dusted it off and put it on to relive this epic event at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass.

Ready to go. This shirt smells like sweet victory, which is oddly similar to 20 year-old dried champagne. pic.twitter.com/PCKu5dEWrN

— Justin Leonard (@jlmountainman) April 22, 2020

Very nice. As were Leonard’s 75(!) subsequent tweets, most of which answered fan questions and comments. He even acknowledged Team USA’s weak Champagne spraying efforts.

No joke. It really was pathetic. https://t.co/5oqRDDTZex

— Justin Leonard (@jlmountainman) April 22, 2020

And what the celebratory drinking schedule looked like that night/next morning:

Champagne early, then beer later, then something else, then beer again. https://t.co/2OMKRzQZGW

— Justin Leonard (@jlmountainman) April 22, 2020

As for his legendary putt, Leonard said he would have left the flagstick in under today’s rules. He also noted his opponent, Jose Maria Olazabal, was all class despite Leonard’s—and Team USA’s—premature celebration in what would be a 14.5-13.5 win after trailing 10-6 to start the day.

He has and always will be a perfect gentleman. He has never been anything but nice to me. https://t.co/QVAj5oHenj

— Justin Leonard (@jlmountainman) April 22, 2020

Not surprisingly, the current NBC/Golf Channel commentator isn’t a big fan of a potential Ryder Cup without fans:

The fans are a bigger part of the Ryder Cup than they are at any other event. It would almost be like a neutral site if there are no fans. https://t.co/YptQmz9tOm

— Justin Leonard (@jlmountainman) April 22, 2020

And of course, he had a couple comments about those hideous shirts, one of which was auctioned off for an absurd amount a couple years ago:

It is actually way too big. Amazing how cuts and fabrics have changed. https://t.co/wOqrhIJPTF

— Justin Leonard (@jlmountainman) April 22, 2020

Tough call on that one. https://t.co/S9SwqSZsRo

— Justin Leonard (@jlmountainman) April 22, 2020

Sorry, Justin. Considering Duval “only” won his match 5-and-4, we’re going with the shirt on that one.

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