'You Just Need To Treat Everyone The Same' - Henrik Stenson Calls For Consistency Over LIV Golf Fines
The Swede is frustrated with what he suggested have been inconsistent punishments by the DP World Tour in regard to LIV golfers since 2022
![Henrik Stenson close up of face](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6wSNRR9vpQNTYpA2N6i4oR-415-80.jpg)
Henrik Stenson has asked for "consistency" from the DP World Tour over fines and bans handed out to players who compete primarily in the LIV Golf League.
Stenson joined LIV in 2022 alongside Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood - all of whom now co-captain Majesticks GC - and all three ultimately felt compelled to resign their DP World Tour membership over rising financial sanctions. The Swede was also required to give up his Ryder Cup captaincy role.
Westwood revealed - while appearing on Peter Finch's podcast - that his outstanding fines figure was over $1 million before he walked away from the tour on which he had featured for almost 30 years.
The Englishman also went on to claim that more recent LIV signings, such as Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, are "getting fined a figure, but it's nowhere near the figure that myself, Ian Poulter, and a few others got fined" before also accusing the Wentworth-based circuit of lacking consistency when handing out punishments.
And, speaking to Garrett Johnston on his podcast 'Beyond The Clubhouse', Stenson echoed his teammate's sentiments by suggesting Rahm and Hatton have not been treated as harshly as the initial cohort who moved to the PIF-backed league.
NEW: Nice to visit w/Henrik Stenson at @livgolf_league Greenbrier. Among many topics, Garrett asked him if he thinks we’ll see Jon Rahm & Tyrrell Hatton on Europe’s Ryder Cup team.Full chat on his game, his kids & more:https://t.co/32ciRsMqvl https://t.co/jHMXr2rpD1 pic.twitter.com/Fr2MSenfKvAugust 16, 2024
Regarding Rahm and Hatton's chances of featuring at Bethpage in 2025, the man who was set to lead Europe at Marco Simone said: "They're two world-class players - everyone knows that - so I'd be surprised if they weren't to be on the team.
"On the same note, though, given how a lot of other European players that went to LIV have been treated, looked upon, and fined - you talked about inconsistency earlier, I'd like to see some consistency in how all of this is dealt with.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"I think you just need to treat everyone the same. Either you can be a member of the European Tour and the European Ryder Cup team [or you can't]. Are you fining certain players in certain situations and not in others and so on? Consistency is all that everyone is after."
In response to both Westwood and Stenson's comments, a DP World Tour spokesperson said: "For clarification, the DP World Tour has been entirely consistent in our approach throughout the disciplinary process. Players have received identical sanctions for the same breaches when relating to the same conflicting events."
Stenson's thoughts arrived days after the European Tour announced a streamlining of the Ryder Cup qualification process.
Starting with the DP World Tour's British Masters at the end of the month, golfers competing on either the European or US-based circuit will all be placed into one points list, with more points available for PGA Tour events and Majors. No points will be available on the PGA Tour until January 1, however.
(L to R) Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter, and Sam Horsfield
Stenson, who is no longer under consideration for a spot anyway as a result of not being a DP World Tour member, believes the changes will have very little effect on which 12 players ultimately make Luke Donald's squad as the blue and gold dozen attempt to defend the Cup.
The three-time Ryder Cup winner said: "It's gone away from having a European points list and a world-ranking points list to just having one list. You're probably going to see the same end result in terms of which guys are going to be at the top after qualifying.
"Clearly, they're going to be the ones who you're going to want on your team because they're the ones who play a world schedule. But it certainly seems like it was changed to a little bit more of a PGA Tour flavor in the European rankings.
"I think you're going to see the same end result, no matter how you set up the list."
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and is hoping to reach his Handicap goal of 18 at some stage. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
'Lexi Has Definitely Changed Women's Golf' - Thompson Receives Team USA Praise Ahead Of Probable Solheim Cup Swansong
Lexi Thompson has received praise from some of her Team USA colleagues ahead of her seventh - and likely last - Solheim Cup appearance
By Mike Hall Published
-
Team USA Wins Junior Solheim Cup by Record Margin Over Team Europe
The hosts produced a dominant display to win by a record margin of 18.5-5.5 points at Army Navy Country Club in Virginia
By Mike Hall Published
-
How Much It Costs To Play Bolingbrook Golf Course - LIV Golf Chicago Host
Bolingbrook Golf Club near Chicago will be firmly in the spotlight for the final regular event of the LIV Golf season – here’s how much it costs to play the municipal course
By Mike Hall Published
-
Report: Tiger Woods Flies Into New York For PGA Tour/PIF Talks
Per ESPN, the 15-time Major winner is attending meetings with the PIF over the coming days alongside fellow PGA Tour policy board member Adam Scott and other representatives
By Mike Hall Published
-
LIV Golf Chicago Prize Money Payout 2024
There is a huge prize money payout at the final regular tournament of the season, but there’s even more at stake than usual at Bolingbrook Golf Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
LIV Golf Announces Five New Hires Including Former Minecraft CEO
The executives have been appointed to the role of General Manager at Legion XIII, Ripper GC, Stinger GC, Iron Heads GC and Cleeks GC
By Mike Hall Published
-
LIV Golfer Joaquin Niemann Confirmed For DP World Tour Return At Title Defence
The Chilean will attempt to defend his Australian Open title at Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne during the early weeks of the 2025 season
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
The 4 LIV Golfers Currently In Line For Relegation – And The Scenarios To Look Out For This Week
It’s a pivotal week in Chicago as the Individual Standings are concluded – here are the four in most danger of relegation, and what they need to do to have a chance of reaching safety
By Mike Hall Published
-
Report: PGA Tour's McIlroy And Scheffler To Face LIV Golf's DeChambeau And Koepka In TV Match
A report from Eamon Lynch at Golfweek states that the four stars are set to appear in a made-for-TV contest to be held in Las Vegas in mid-December
By Mike Hall Published
-
Big Names Missing The Presidents Cup
Who are the notable players to miss out on the US and International teams for the 2024 Presidents Cup?
By Elliott Heath Published