Henrik Stenson has hoped that the 2023 LIV Tour and PGA Tour could live together peacefully in Hong Kong on Friday where he will play from March 23 to 26 an Asian circuit tournament.
Stenson, the 2016 Open champion, switched sides to the Saudi-backed LIV Series, which resulted in him losing the Ryder Cup captaincy for this year’s event in Rome to Luke Donald.
“I hope for everyone involved that we can get to a point where everyone can co-exist and it will be a little less hostile than it has been lately,” Stenson said.
“There have been tough times, but I think everything is falling into place and we will see where we are in a year or two,” Stenson added.
The former world No. 2, who had earnings of US$5.5 million at the end of the opening season of the Saudi Arabian-sponsored circuit, added that change is challenging in a tradition-rich sport.
Stenson also welcomed Rory McIlroy’s admission this week that the PGA’s top golfers are benefiting from the emergence of rival LIV.
The Northern Irishman, one of the PGA’s staunchest defenders in its feud with LIV last year, admitted ahead of this week’s Players Championship in the USA that the launch of the deep-pocketed contender had forced the American circuit to innovate.
The PGA, meanwhile, has responded to the emergence of LIV by announcing better-funded, cut-free events, starting in the 2024 season.
Five-time Ryder Cup winner and LIV companion to Stenson, Ian Poulter says there is room for everyone in the world golf calendar.
“It’s always an overview and we see LIV as a complement to golf. I like the format. I love creativity. Players and others now recognise that LIV is here to stay and that’s a good thing,” Poulter said.
