SPORTACCORD 2024 INSIGHTS: Sport’s Perfect Storm
23 May 2024 14:34
The European Tour's flagship event in China suffered a new blow on Tuesday when it was confirmed that Henrik Stenson had withdrawn after the birth of his third child.
The $7 million BMW Masters, which begins at Lake Malaren on Thursday, was already reeling from world No.1 Rory McIlroy's decision last week to pull out.
It lost another of its big stars in the Swede, who last year won both the USPGA Tour's Fedex Cup and the European Tour's Race to Dubai standings.
Stenson's wife Emma gave birth to baby Alice in Orlando, Florida on Sunday and the Swede, who is third in the Race to Dubai standings, has understandably decided to remain in the US.
He is now expected to travel to Shanghai for next week's World Golf Championships HSBC Champions tournament at Sheshan Golf Club after spending a week with the ¬newest addition to the Stenson family and his other two children, 7-year-old Lisa and 4-year-old Karl.
"No.3 has arrived!!" Stenson posted on his Facebook page along with a picture of him holding the baby.
McIlroy declared a week ago that he was taking time away from golf to deal better with the multi-million dollar legal dispute he has with his former management company.
"I'm going to need time away from tournament golf to prepare for the trial over my legal dispute with Horizon Sports Management," said McIlroy.
The hearing is set to take place in February and McIlroy will not play again until next month's season-ending tournament in Dubai.
With world No.4 Sergio Garcia opting to play only at next week's event in Shanghai it means the top three in the Race to Dubai standings are missing as the first of the "Final Four" season-ending series of big money events begins on Thursday.
The field still boasts seven of the victorious European Ryder Cup team, led by world No.6 Justin Rose of England.
He is joined by teammates Thomas Bjorn, Jamie Donaldson, Graeme McDowell, Victor Dubuisson, Stephen Gallacher and Ian Poulter in the 78-man starting lineup.
The other two absentees from the victorious Ryder Cup team are US Open champion Martin Kaymer of Germany and Lee Westwood of England.
Kaymer last year came to the end of an association with tournament sponsors BMW and is now attached to rival German car Mercedes. Westwood is teeing up this week in Malaysia at the USPGA Tour's CIMB Classic, an event co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour.
Related coverage
Chinese golf player Li Haotong
06 Dec 2014
Mike Powell, Colin Jackson and Michael Johnson promote Beijing worlds
14 May 2015
AliSports sponsors Reignwood LPGA Classic
19 Sep 2016
WeChat signs up Chinese golfer Li Haotong
03 Apr 2018
CTBC promotes in Greater China by sponsoring golfer
02 Mar 2015
More from Yutang Sports
The United States Tops Skema Publika's First Annual Sport and Soft Power Ranking
27 Mar 2025
Squash will be significantly boosted by LA28 inclusion
17 Apr 2024
SportAccord 2024 makes a memorable return to Birmingham
13 Apr 2024
SPORTACCORD 2024 INSIGHTS: Major Technology Trends Shaping Sports Sector
03 Jun 2024
SPORTACCORD 2024 INSIGHTS: Touchdowns, Home Runs and Slam Dunks
12 Jun 2024
Yutang Sports
loading...