Tiger Woods’ TGL rumored to sign Rickie Fowler as 12th golfer to join the league

Rickie Fowler is all set to become the latest golfer to join TGL, a tech-infused venture formed by sports executive Mike McCarley and professional golfers Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in partnership with the PGA Tour, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.

The league, which is scheduled to begin in 2024, made Fowler, currently ranked 59th in the OWGR, their 12th signing so far. A total of 18 players are to reportedly join this league, which will be played on a virtual course that will include a short-game complex for chipping and putting.

Prior to this, the venture had roped in high-profile golfers like Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Matt Fitzpatrick, Adam Scott, Xander Schauffele, Justin Rose, Max Homa, and Billy Horschel.

The matches will be played over two hours during Monday nights. There will be 15 matches that will make up the regular season, followed by semifinals and a final.

---

How did TGL come into being?

The formation of TGL was announced last year in August. It will initially feature six teams of three PGA Tour players each, competing head-to-head in 18-hole matchplay. TMRW Sports is building the first TGL venue in Palm Beach, Florida, through a partnership with Palm Beach State College.

The group broke ground at the venue on February 20, 2023 in the interactive, indoor tech golf league. This includes educational and recreational initiatives that will benefit Palm Beach State College students by offering paid internships and other technology, hospitality, and administrative services opportunities.

The CAA Icon is designing, developing and overseeing the construction of the iconic venue which will see golf action flowing between virtual and reality on every hole.

---

Who is Rickie Fowler?

The 34-year-old American has five PGA Tour wins, and his best finish in a Major Championship was back in 2018 when he finished second at The Masters.

Fowler is one of the most popular players in the sport and has enjoyed a comeback season this year after struggling for much of the past two seasons. He has six top-10 finishes in 10 starts this season, including a tie for 13th at the Players last week. He also tied for sixth at the Fortinet Championship and tied for second at the Zozo Championship.

---

What did the founders of the league have to say during its unveiling?

“TGL is the next evolution within professional golf, and I am committed to helping lead it into the future,” Woods had said in a press release. “Embracing technology to create this unique environment gives us the ability to move our sport into primetime on a consistent basis alongside so many of sports’ biggest events.”

He further stated:

"We all know what it’s like to be in a football stadium or a basketball arena where you can watch every play, every minute of action unfold right in front of you. It’s something that inherently isn’t possible in traditional golf — and an aspect of TGL that will set it apart and appeal to a new generation of fans."

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said in the release:

“The Tour has been committed to aligning our athletes with innovative technology and this initiative combines that vision with a unique golf atmosphere. A primetime experience featuring PGA Tour players will help attract a broader audience to our sport and the world’s greatest players.”

“This innovative league provides fans a fresh, short-form version of golf in an unmatched coliseum environment designed for a modern audience. We began working on this concept nearly two years ago and we’re happy to be unveiling it today,” Mike McCarley, CEO of TMRW Sports, had said.