By Matt Smith
LIV Golf has officially unveiled its final three players for the at the Invitational Series event at Bedminster from July 29-31, with 2016 Open Champion Henrik Stenson making his debut alongside world No. 36 Jason Kokrak and three-time PGA Tour winner Charles Howell III.

The former world No. 2 was removed as Ryder Cup captain on Wednesday ahead of the announcement, with Team Europe saying: “Henrik Stenson’s tenure as Captain of Team Europe for the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy from September 25 – October 1, 2023, has been brought to an end with immediate effect. In light of decisions made by Henrik in relation to his personal circumstances, it has become clear that he will not be able to fulfil certain contractual obligations to Ryder Cup Europe that he had committed to prior to his announcement as Captain on Tuesday March 15, 2022, and it is therefore not possible for him to continue in the role of Captain.”

One of the most accomplished European golfers for over two decades, has won 21 times as a professional and amassed 149 top-10 finishes. Throughout his career, he has earned more than a dozen honours as the top performing golfer on global tours and competitions, spending over 300 weeks ranked in the top 10. Stenson has appeared as a player in five Ryder Cups, helping lead Europe to victories in three of those competitions (2006, 2014, 2018). Stenson will join Majesticks GC, captained by former world No. 1 and fellow Englishman Lee Westwood.

Jason Kokrak. Jamie Squire

Kokrak, an 11-time winner as a pro, has earned more than 40 top-10 finishes throughout his career. Since September 2020, he has been ranked among the top 50 players in the world, with a ranking as high as No. 20. Beginning in Bedminster, he will compete on Smash GC, captained by four-time major champion Brooks Koepka.

Howell has amassed 102 top-10 finishes throughout his career, including three professional wins. A former NCAA Division I Champion and Haskins Award winner as the country’s most outstanding collegiate golfer, he has been ranked as high as No. 15 in the world and has represented the United States in multiple international team competitions. Howell III will play for Crushers GC, led by 2020 US Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau.

Charles Howell III. Mike Ehrmann

Howell III, Kokrak and Stenson join a Bedminster field that will showcase 11 major champions with a combined 21 majors won, four former world No. 1 players and nearly half of its competitors currently ranked in the top 100. The global field represents 13 different countries, features 18 players with 10 or more professional wins and includes future stars of the game who have earned NCAA National Championships and US Amateur Championships among their accomplishments. Players will compete in golf’s most exciting new format for $25 million and the chance to become LIV Golf’s third individual and team champions and earn points towards LIV Golf’s season-long individual competition.

“Henrik Stenson adds yet another outstanding resume to LIV Golf’s global roster of elite players. His career performances spanning majors, season-long individual championships and international competitions have cemented him as a leader in today’s game,” said Greg Norman, CEO and Commissioner of LIV Golf. “The addition of Jason Kokrak, who has been consistently ranked amongst the world’s best, and Charles Howell III, one of the United States’ top competitors for years, along with English standout Paul Casey further strengthens a field that will put on a show for the fans at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster. I’m excited for the third LIV Golf competition and can’t wait for our shotgun start at this fantastic venue.”

The 48-man field will play across 12 teams of four players each. Teams will be announced in the days leading up to the tournament start.

South African Branden Grace of Stinger GC finished at 13 under par to secure the individual trophy at the LIV Golf Invitational Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, while 4 Aces GC captain Dustin Johnson and his new all-American lineup of Talor Gooch, Pat Perez and Patrick Reed took the team trophy in the first LIV Golf event held in the United States.

South Africans have now won the first two LIV Golf events, as former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel earned first prize in the individual competition at the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational London at Centurion Club. Stinger GC, Schwartzel’s team captained by major champion Louis Oosthuizen, took the team honors in London with fellow South Africans and teammates Hennie du Plessis and Grace finishing second and third, respectively. Grace and Schwartzel are now 1-2 in LIV Golf’s season-long individual points standings.

LIV Golf Invitational Bedminster line-up:
Abraham Ancer MEX
Phil Mickelson USA
Richard Bland ENG
Jediah Morgan AUS
Laurie Canter ENG
Kevin Na USA
Paul Casey ENG
Shaun Norris RSA
Eugenio Chacarra ESP
Louis Oosthuizen RSA
Bryson DeChambeau USA
Wade Ormsby AUS
Hennie du Plessis RSA
Carlos Ortiz MEX
Sergio Garcia  ESP
Pat Perez USA
Talor Gooch USA
Turk Pettit USA
Branden Grace RSA
James Piot USA
Justin Harding RSA
Ian Poulter ENG
Sam Horsfield ENG
David Puig (am) ESP
Yuki Inamori JPN
Patrick Reed USA
Dustin Johnson USA
Charl Schwartzel RSA
Matt Jones AUS
Travis Smyth AUS
Sadom Kaewkanjana THA
Hudson Swafford USA
Martin Kaymer GER
Hideto Tanihara JPN
Phachara Khongwatmai THA
Peter Uihlein USA
Ryosuke Kinoshita JPN
Scott Vincent ZIM
Brooks Koepka USA
Lee Westwood ENG
Chase Koepka USA
Bernd Wiesberger AUT
Jinichiro Kozuma JPN
Matthew Wolff USA
Graeme McDowell NIR
Henrik Stenson SWE
Charles Howell III USA
Jason Kokrak USA

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