Henrik Stenson to Return to DP World Tour in 2026

Henrik Stenson, the 2016 Open Championship winner, plans to return to the DP World Tour in 2026 after paying more than 1 million in fines and serving a suspension following his relegation from LIV Golf. The 49-year-old Swede, who joined the Saudi-backed circuit in 2022, finished 49th in the individual standings this season, placing him in the drop zone after a series of underwhelming performances.

Stenson's move comes after three years away from the European-based tour, from which he resigned his membership in 2023 alongside players such as Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, and Sergio Garcia. Those resignations followed sanctions imposed by the DP World Tour for competing in unauthorized conflicting events. The tour had fined players up to 100,000 per breach and issued suspensions of up to eight events. Stenson's fines accumulated during his early LIV participation, and reports indicate LIV Golf covered them until this year, when the league announced it would cease such payments for defected players.

In LIV Golf, Stenson served as co-captain of the Majesticks GC team alongside Westwood and Poulter. He won on his debut in 2022 at Bedminster but struggled in 2025, with his best finish a...