Former Open champion and Ryder Cup legend Henrik Stenson is poised for a dramatic return to the DP World Tour next season, marking a significant career U-turn after his stint with the breakaway LIV Golf circuit.
From LIV Exile to DP World Tour Return
Henrik Stenson is reportedly expected to rejoin the DP World Tour, more than three years after his controversial departure to join the Saudi-funded LIV Golf league in 2022. The Swede's move to LIV had immediate and profound consequences, resulting in his removal from the DP World Tour and, most notably, the stripping of his prestigious captaincy for Team Europe at the 2022 Ryder Cup in Italy. The role was subsequently handed to Luke Donald, who led the European team to victory at Marc Simone Golf Club in Rome.
Stenson's relegation from the LIV Golf tour at the end of the 2025 season has paved the way for his return to the traditional golf fold. Having finished in the relegation places, the 2016 Open winner found himself without a team on the PIF-funded circuit.
£1 Million Barrier to Return
The path back to the DP World Tour was not clear until Stenson settled a significant financial imposition. According to reports from Bunkered, the 49-year-old has now fully paid fines totalling more than £1 million. These penalties were accumulated for competing in LIV Golf events without the required permissions from the DP World Tour.
This development comes amid a major policy shift from LIV Golf, which informed its players that it would cease paying such fines on their behalf after December 31st of this year. This change leaves any remaining players facing financial penalties to settle them independently.
Stenson's Reaction and the Road Ahead
Speaking after his relegation from LIV was confirmed in August, Stenson reflected philosophically on the challenges of professional sport. "Over the course of a career, you’re going to have good years, you’re going to have bad years," Stenson stated. "It's part of professional sports. You’re going to have disappointment. You're going to have good times. On this end, I had the worst season out of the team, and I’m the one in the worst spot. You’ve just got to deal with it and move forward."
His return to the DP World Tour coincides with the conclusion of the 2025 season, which saw Matt Fitzpatrick claim the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai after a dramatic play-off victory over Rory McIlroy. Despite the defeat, McIlroy secured the Race to Dubai title for an impressive fourth consecutive year and the seventh time in his career.
Stenson's comeback adds a compelling new chapter to the ongoing narrative between established tours and the breakaway league, signalling a potential trend of reintegration for players seeking competitive opportunities after their LIV Golf tenures.
