Rory McIlroy’s taking shots at LIV Golf, saying his new TGL league has figured out something their rival hasn’t – how to make team golf actually connect with fans.
The four-time major champion, who’s launching TGL with Tiger Woods this January, thinks the secret is simple: give fans hometown teams they can actually root for.
“It’s about connecting with certain fan bases,” McIlroy explained while promoting a new docuseries about his Boston-based team. “That’s what TGL has done better than LIV.”
While LIV Golf has pushed hard on its team format, it hasn’t quite caught on with golf fans. Their teams float around without any real home base, making it tough for supporters to feel connected.
Some big names in golf haven’t been shy about criticizing LIV’s approach. Ernie Els says it isn’t “proper golf,” while TV analyst Brandel Chamblee went further, calling it “laughable.”
TGL’s taking a different route. They’ve got six teams, each tied to major cities like Boston, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. It’s a strategy straight from traditional sports’ playbook.
“Team golf’s been around since 1927 with the Ryder Cup,” McIlroy pointed out. “But what we’re doing is plugging into cities where you can really connect with wider sports fans.”
Take Boston, for example. McIlroy’s team includes Keegan Bradley, who has deep roots in the area.
“Boston fans are incredibly passionate about their teams,” McIlroy said. “Whether it’s the Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins, or Patriots – that connection to something real is pretty special.”
The league kicks off January 7th on ESPN, with New York taking on San Francisco. McIlroy’s Boston squad debuts January 27th against Tiger Woods’s Jupiter Links team.
But McIlroy’s quick to add that TGL isn’t trying to replace traditional golf.
“I’m still a traditionalist in many ways,” he said. “Championship golf will always be around. We’re just trying something new to bring in younger fans.”
The tech-heavy format will feature a mix of simulator and real golf, creating what McIlroy hopes will be must-watch Monday night entertainment that complements, rather than competes with, regular tour events.
