Henrik Stenson continues his LIV Golf season this week at Andalucia, before turning his attention to The Open Championship.
The iconic Real Golf Club Valderrama hosts LIV Golf Andalucia, with Royal Portrush hosting The Open Championship.
Stenson is one of 19 LIV Golf players at The Open, with the Swede also among the former winners of the event.
He triumphed at The Open in 2016, with his memorable victory at Royal Troon representing his only major win to date.
Stenson edged out Phil Mickelson at The Open that year, clinching a three-shot victory over the American.
Henrik Stenson says if major championships should copy LIV Golf with music
Both players are now on LIV Golf, where tournaments certainly look a lot different to major championships such as The Open.
But discussing a potential relationship between traditional tournaments and the new-look events on LIV Golf, Stenson told 54 Golf: “Yeah I think it’s… we’ve got these championships that have been around for hundreds of years, and of course it’s great to have your name on that.
“But it’s also been fun to be part of the LIV journey. It’s come a long, long way in a short period of time thanks to everyone working hard to get this to where it’s at.
“I think the world of golf enjoys both and needs both. I think playing new formats and something that’s kind of refreshed and a different twist to it can attract a different crowd partly as well.
“And just having a shorter window, enjoying the time out here on the golf course, but also the concerts and everything that goes on around at the events, I think it’s a great combo.
“That being said, I don’t think every golf tournament needs to… the major championships don’t need to have music on the tee box and shotgun starts. But I think it kind of complements each other and it might attract different golf fans.”
Henrik Stenson among LIV Golf players to have won The Open Championship
LIV Golf could benefit from traditional tee times, but it has ventured away from the likes of the PGA Tour with its shotgun starts.
There are also no cuts on the Saudi-backed tour, while off the course, competitions include live music in a party-like atmosphere.
Major championships aren’t likely to comprise any of those features any time soon, although LIV Golf is doing its utmost to ensure its voice is heard on the big stage.
It now has one last chance to have a major championship winner in each of the last three years, and has a good opportunity with 19 players taking part.
Brooks Koepka started the trend by winning the PGA Championship in 2023, while Bryson DeChambeau triumphed at the 2024 US Open.
And as a former champion, plenty of hopes will rest on the shoulders of Stenson, although he is joined in that regard by Mickelson, Cameron Smith and Louis Oosthuizen.
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