Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s first TGL season suffers a major setback as Masters champion Jon Rahm drops out – the league launches in January in response to Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf
Jon Rahm, the Masters champion, has withdrawn from participating in Tiger Woods and Rory McIlory’s first season of the Golf League.
Rahm said in a Twitter post: “Unfortunately I have to confirm that I will not be participating in the first TGL season.”
“While I still think it’s a great opportunity, at the moment it would require a level of commitment that I can’t provide. “Good luck to everyone involved (sic) and may the best team win!’.
Rahm has been excluded from all promotions for the company, which begins in January 2024. Games are scheduled to begin Jan. 9, with the ESPN networks showing the action across 15 regular-season games as well as the semifinals and finals.
Woods and McIlroy’s idea was received immensely positively, and Rahm’s withdrawal is the first real setback the company has suffered.
Masters champion Jon Rahm has withdrawn from the Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy Golf League
The news is a huge blow for McIlroy and Woods as the league starts in just two months
But there are still a number of elite names in the competition, including big winners like Adam Scott, Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, Collin Morikawa, Matt Fitzpatrick, Keegan Bradley and Shane Lowry.
Boston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Atlanta all have franchises representing these areas, with a sixth to be announced. There are also a number of high-profile investors.
John Henry, Tom Werner and the Fenway Sports Group – which includes the Red Sox, Liverpool FC and the Pittsburgh Penguins – have backed the Boston team.
Serena Williams is committed to the LA team alongside Alexis Ohanian and sister Venus and Mets owner Steven A. Cohen is behind the New York franchise.
The competition takes place every Monday at the SoFi Center in Florida and includes 15 regular season games, a semifinal and a final.