Ex-Ryder Cup captain in no doubt about Rahm and Hatton’s LIV Golf intentions
Former European Ryder Cup captain Henrik Stenson has no doubt Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton are coming to LIV Golf “ready to play” after making the big-money switch.
Rahm’s new Legion XIII team, featuring Team Europe teammate Hatton, enjoyed a triumphant start to life on the Saudi-backed tour by winning the team competition at LIV Golf Mayakoba. After the opening day of the Las Vegas event, they sit tied for fifth after posting a -8 collective score.
Stenson, who was due to captain Europe at last year’s Ryder Cup before giving up the role to sign with LIV Golf, believes the signing of his two colleagues, plus Polish star Adrian Meronk, is a major boost to the strength of the LIV roster. After seeing them in action in the first event, he has no doubt they are looking to instantly compete for the team championship.
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Speaking at the LIV Golf Las Vegas Pro-Am the day before the main event got underway, Stenson told Mirror Sport: “More strength, obviously, with Jon, Tyrrell and Adrian coming along.
“Jon’s team, with Tyrrell, they came quick out of the blocks and won the team comp last week in the first week out there. They’re ready to play, and keen to get their team up there.”
The arrival of Rahm and Hatton at LIV Golf has prompted fresh question marks over the Ryder Cup status of European players who have joined the organisation. Stenson, however, insists he is not concerning himself with that situation despite the fact it will likely have ramifications for his own eligibility.
“We just wait and see,” Stenson said. “I’ve not really got anything to add to that at this moment. It’s not in my hands, so I’m just sitting back and seeing the rest of that play out.”
Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm's team won the opening LIV Golf event of the year (Getty Images)When Rahm joined LIV, Rory McIlroy performed something of a U-turn on his feelings towards LIV players and the Ryder Cup. He insisted he still wants the Spaniard playing alongside him at Bethpage Black in 2025.
McIlroy said: ”As someone who has played on three Ryder Cup teams with Jon... Jon is going to be in Bethpage in 2025. So because of this decision the European Tour are going to have to rewrite the rules for Ryder Cup eligibility, absolutely, there is no question about that. I certainly want Jon Rahm on the next Ryder Cup team."
However, he also fired a shot in the direction of Stenson - who was replaced as captain by Luke Donald, who went on to lead Europe to victory - over his absence from the Europe setup for the most recent tournament. "The best thing to happen to the 2023 Euro Ryder cup team was Henrik going to LIV!” McIlroy wrote on social media.
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