In September, the Swedish Golf Association decided to discontinue its collaboration with Henrik Stenson, as they no longer saw him as a role model for Swedish junior golf and paragolf.
The decision was based on the LIV Tour's closed competitions not matching the golf association's view of competitive golf.
The commitment remains
When SVT Sport met Henrik Stenson in Saudi Arabia, in connection with the penultimate competition of the season on the LIV Tour, he expressed his disappointment at the way the association reasoned.
He also said that his commitment to junior golf and para golf will continue.
- Nothing changes there, rather we switch it up, and it is something we wholeheartedly support in the future as well, says Stenson, who also comments on the union's actions.
- The decision is sad, of course, because I don't think the tour I choose to play on is really connected with the investments we are making.
It must stand for them.
"Can fall down"
The Golf Association believes that the LIV tour is a threat to the idea that it should be sporting performance that makes players get to the next level in golf.
But Henrik Stenson himself believes that they misunderstand LIFE.
- In the long term, it should not be a closed league, there will be ways to qualify and there will be relegation for players who may be relegated.
This is only the seventh competition in the first half of the season.
We are in the middle of the start-up.
Everything is not set in sight and there you (the golf association) go ahead of the events.
- A closed league is not something I would have supported, a closed league where players cannot drop out, I don't think that is good either, says Stenson.
"That can change"
When SVT Sport tells the Swedish Golf Association's general secretary Gunnar Håkansson what Stenson said, he responds like this:
- What we can take a stand on is the situation as it looks today.
No one knows for sure how it will develop.
It can change from year to year.
Our decision is not an eternal position, says Håkansson.
- We change our position if the conditions change.
We mean that, as it stands now with a closed system, it is not really sport.
But if something changes, the map also changes for us, clarifies Håkansson, who is careful to say that the decision has nothing to do with Stenson as a person, but how LIV "destroys the logic of the sport".
- This has happened in football as well with the proposed Super League.
The logic of sport is destroyed.
It's not sports anymore.
"Short-term decision"
One of the biggest stars LIV has attracted is Phil Mickelson.
The American does not at all like how Stenson has been treated by the golf association.
- It is a short-term decision.
And a disrespectful one considering what Henrik has done for Swedish golf.
I think it will be the Swedish Golf Association that will be ashamed in the end.
But Mickelson's words do not bite Håkansson.
- Henrik Stenson is the biggest hero we had.
There is no talking about it.
But we have to stand up for what we work for, our ideals.
Mickelson can think what he wants, but he doesn't have to be responsible for our ideals, says Håkansson.