EXCLUSIVE: PGA and DP World Tour rebel Henrik Stenson says he is willing to take a LIE DETECTOR test to refute allegations he accepted the Ryder Cup captaincy with a view to taking advantage of a better financial package from Saudi- backed LIV Tour
- Henrik Stenson was stripped of the Ryder Cup captaincy earlier this year
- The Swede accepted a £40m package to join the highly controversial LIV Tour
- Stenson denied he took the captaincy for a better offer at LIV
Henrik Stenson says he will take a lie detector test to deny rumors he used the Ryder Cup captaincy to take advantage of a better offer from the LIV breakaway series.
The Swede was sacked from the prestigious role of European Ryder Cup chiefs in July after accepting an offer in the region of £40million to defect to the Saudi-backed rebel series.
That situation has given rise to whispered theories that Stenson may have accepted the post in March as a way of coaxing a better package – but it is a scenario the 46-year-old has denied.
Henrik Stenson says he is willing to take a lie detector test on the LIV tour allegations
Speaking ahead of LIV’s season finale in Miami, he told Sportsmail: ‘I can give you a 100 per cent honest answer that it didn’t happen. I’ll be willing to take a lie-detector test on that.’
Despite drawing criticism from golf’s traditional factions for such a controversial decision, Stenson, who won his LIV debut at Bedminster, said he remained satisfied with his call.
He added: ‘I’m happy. I thought about that for over an afternoon. I’m happy where I am. I managed to get a win straight out of the box and I’m looking forward to next year.
‘I’m enjoying being with the boys on this tour. We play together, travel together and it has a different vibe to the regular touring life I’ve had for years. That is great. But I’m enjoying it.
‘I haven’t played anything other than LIV events since the summer, so I mean going forward I’m getting the off season I’ve wanted for 16 or 17 years. I’m looking forward to that – being strong and fit in the gym and getting ready for the new season in February. I am happy.’
The Swede won on his debut on the Saudi-backed tour and said he was relishing his new opportunity
Stenson denied he accepted the Team Europe Ryder Cup captaincy as leverage
