Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy make joining LIV Golf “impossible” with TGL contracts

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s new TMRW Golf League (TGL), launching on January 7, is creating significant buzz in the golf world, with its unique format and high-profile lineup. Backed by the PGA Tour, the indoor league aims to change the dynamics of the sport by offering a new, engaging platform for top golfers like Keegan Bradley and Wyndham Clark.

However, a recent report from Tom Kershaw of The Times reveals a key stipulation in the TGL contracts that makes it nearly impossible for players to participate in both TGL and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf. The clause prohibits any golfer involved with TGL from competing in LIV Golf events, essentially locking them into one league. This restriction came to light following the case of Tyrrell Hatton, who was dropped from TGL after choosing to join LIV Golf, with the league replacing him with Hideki Matsuyama.

The formation of TGL has also introduced a new structure for golf competitions, with six teams competing in the inaugural season. These teams include prestigious names like the Jupiter Links Golf Club, owned by Woods and David Blitzer, and Boston Common Golf, co-owned by McIlroy. Each team will compete in a high-tech indoor environment, with playoffs determining the first champion.

The league’s unique format, which includes the use of simulators for matches, aims to blend traditional golf with modern innovations. However, the new league’s restrictive contracts are bound to stir debate, as players must now choose between the PGA Tour-backed TGL and the lucrative opportunities offered by LIV Golf, leading to new complexities in the sport’s professional landscape.