Henrik Stenson, once the captain of the European Ryder Cup team in 2023, faced a major punch to the gut when he was replaced from the position after just 127 days. This was thanks to his decision to jump ship and join LIV Golf. And what followed was not pleasant either. Players from his own European side turned against him!

Rory McIlroy, Stenson’s former Ryder Cup teammate, took to X (formerly Twitter) to mock the LIV star. Citing this his removal was “best thing to happen” to the European Ryder Cup side for 2023, the Irishman didn’t hold back in his insult for him. Now, 18 months after his replacement, Stenson has still not forgotten the punch to the gut. However, as per a recent interview, he’s made it clear that he doesn’t play the same game when it comes to public speaking as McIlroy.

Henrik Stenson confronted Rory McIlroy about his mockery

In his recent exclusive sit-down with The Standard, Stenson revealed that soon after McIlroy dissed him last year, the two had spoken directly. “I had a conversation with Rory at the time.” When asked about what that talk looked like, however, the LIV Golf pro remained mute. He refused to discuss their happenings and instead took a jab at the Irishman.

“I don’t feel like Twitter is necessarily the place and the platform to discuss certain things,” he stated boldly, choosing a path different from his LIV Golf colleagues like Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter, who were extremely open in discussing their issues with players who had lashed out at them for their defection.

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Stenson made it clear via his strong words that public platforms were not his forum for having intricate discussions. “We all make our own choices about where we choose to vent stuff,” he added.

Stenson was one of the first few players to switch sides when LIV Golf came knocking. And back then, Rory McIlroy was at the helm of those who stood against the defectors. The four-time major winner dubbed those who left as money-chasers and claimed that they wouldn’t have been who they are had it not been for the Tour. However, it seems like time has changed his heart. Well, time and his beloved friend Jon Rahm are jumping ship!

Jon Rahm changed McIlroy’s firm stand against LIV golfers

The Spaniard is one of LIV’s latest additions to their team. After a whopping, rumored $566 million contract and the freedom to start and pick his own team, Rahm joined the Saudi League late last year. His change hit the golf world differently, for after the superb season he had had, not many saw it coming. And seemingly, it hit McIlroy differently too, for soon after his defection, the Irishman’s strong and infuriated side towards LIV had softened. He claimed, “I regret being too judgmental at the start.”

“I have nothing but good things to say about Jon,” said the PGA Tour loyalist. “I respect the hell out of him as a golfer.” And while many may have expected some sort of jab to follow, McIlroy instead showed that Rahm’s joining LIV didn’t change anything for him, even when it came to the prestigious Ryder Cup.

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McIlroy stated that, come what may, he wanted the 2-time major winner by his side at the next Ryder Cup, a chance that no European golfer received this year due to ineligibility. “He’s a great teammate… I certainly want Jon Rahm on the next Ryder Cup team,” he stated. “The European Tour are going to have to rewrite the rules for Ryder Cup eligibility.”

It’s clear that McIlroy is a different man now than he was back when he took shots at Stenson; however, whether it’s just Jon Rahm who’s earned the 24-time PGA Tour winner’s sympathy or the entire LIV Golf crew remains to be seen.

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