Henrik Stenson gives fierce LIV Golf defence in fighting talk ahead of The Open

17 July 2023 , 11:53

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Henrik Stenson defended his fellow LIV Golf players (Image: AP)

Henrik Stenson has risen to the defence of his fellow LIV Golf stars, as 16 of the breakaway circuit's players hunt for more major success at this week's Open Championship.

Heading into this year's Masters there was plenty of doubt cast over the chances of LIV players on the big stage against their PGA Tour rivals. 54-hole tournaments, reduced fields and no cut lines were just a few of the reasons given for the lack of LIV backing heading into this year's majors, but a number of breakaway rebels proved that theory wrong.

The LIV quota initially impressed at the Masters, with three stars from the breakaway circuit finishing inside the top five. 2018 champion Patrick Reed earned a spot in tied-fourth, whilst Phil Mickelson and 54-hole leader Brooks Koepka finished in a tie for second behind champion Jon Rahm.

Koepka then went one better one month later at the PGA Championship, as he became the first LIV star to be crowned a major champion since its inception, following his win at Oak Hill Country Club.

The US Open was by no means a disappointment for the Saudi-backed series either, with three players finishing inside the top 20, including Cam Smith who finished in fourth. Smith now leads 15 other LIV stars into this week's Open Championship, with the Australian heading to Hoylake as defending champion.

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One LIV man who will also be there, and knows exactly how it feels to get his hands on the Claret Jug is 2016 winner Stenson. And ahead of the fourth and final major title, the Swede believes he and his fellow rebels have more than proved their worth alongside their PGA Tour competitors.

Henrik Stenson won The Open back in 2016 (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

He told The Guardian : "I don’t know if there is a small group that still has that thought but I think the players on LIV have proven over and over in the last six months that they are competitive. I’m not saying 48 LIV guys have been at the top in majors but a big part of the PGA Tour has not been at the top in majors, either.

"LIV players qualifying for majors, making cuts and being at the top of those tournaments… if people want to keep going on another theme, that’s up to them." As a result Stenson referenced the performances of both Koepka and Mickelson at Augusta in April to back up his claim.

"People said ‘Oh Brooks didn’t win the Masters because it was four rounds'," he added. "Well, Phil Mickelson finished [joint] second because of a fourth-round 65. So which way are you going to have it?”

Joshua Lees