Henrik Stenson stripped of Ryder Cup captaincy over LIV Golf defection

Henrik Stenson has officially been stripped of his Ryder Cup captaincy by Team Europe.

Stenson, 46, is believed to be on the verge of joining LIV Golf. The Swede has helped Europe win three Ryder Cups in his five appearances as a player and had just become captain four months ago. The 2023 Ryder Cup begins in September of next year in Rome.

“In light of decisions made by Henrik in relation to his personal circumstances, it has become clear that he will not be able to fulfill 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,” Ryder Cup Europe said in a statement.

While Stenson — the 2016 British Open champion currently ranked No. 171 in the world — hasn’t officially joined LIV Golf yet, the Saudi-backed tour is set to announce new additions before its event next week at Trump National in Bedminster, N.J.

LIV Golf has been handing out guaranteed, nine-figure contracts to some of golfs biggest stars, including Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson. They also this week lured broadcaster David Feherty away from NBC, The Post’s Andrew Marchand first reported.