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The veteran trio will play in the Abu Dhabi Championship this week, with Stenson at the fore.
It has been six months since the 46-year-old Swede chose LIV Golf over the Ryder Cup, a decision that cost him the European captaincy for this year’s event in Rome and, for some, tarnished his career. heritage.
He hasn’t played on the European Tour since — his last non-LIV appearance was at the British Open in July — so he could be affected by the warm temperatures forecast at Yas Island Links. Cold reception.
Stenson may not have more activity on the tour to advance his career.
A British arbitration judge is expected to rule in February in a legal dispute between the European Tour and its deserter LIV Golf. The Desert Swing, which also hosts the Dubai Desert Classic next week, may be the last hurrah.
“It’s going to be an interesting few months,” Irish golfer Shane Lowry told the BBC.
“Over the next few months, there are several key dates that will shape the evolution of the game of golf.”
Luke Donald, who replaced Stenson as European Ryder Cup captain, will also tee off in Abu Dhabi for one of the iconic Rolex Series, with prize money of up to $9 million.
It would have been seen as a huge prize pool if it weren’t for the Saudi-funded LIV Golf offering more — a fact Lowry couldn’t escape.
“I think what’s happened over the last year or so, we’ve made the mistake of thinking $20 million or $100 million (dollars) is normal, that’s what we should be fighting for, that’s what we’re worth,” said Lowry, who At No. 20, he is the highest-ranked player on the pitch in Abu Dhabi. “And if we spend 2 or 3 million (dollars) on this tour, it’s not enough.
“I still think the tour has grown, I think their alliance with the PGA Tour, the prize money is guaranteed to grow … Every year for the next 13 years, I think that’s good for the tour. I think it’s sustainable, that’s a big thing. I think having sustainable products is something you need to have, and I do think this tour has that.”
Lowry and many others on the field are coming to the end of last week’s Heroes Cup match near the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, in which the Continental beat Great Britain and Ireland and Donald won the Ryder Cup The event was used to evaluate his options eight months after the tournament.
Although Lowry felt he was playing “okay,” he didn’t score even half a point against the Continental Europeans, who scored 3.5 points apiece and a possible 4.
Thomas Pieters, who won last year’s Abu Dhabi Championship, was also on the winning team, although he did not perform as well as he would have liked.
“I realize I’m not quite ready yet,” the Belgian said. “I should have practiced for a few more days, but it’s hard with a newborn. I feel like I’m ready now.”
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