Jon Rahm, the No. 3-ranked golfer in the world, has pulled out of participating in the inaugural season of TGL, the tech-infused league being fronted by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
The reigning Masters champion confirmed in a statement on X on Thursday that he won't participate in the league, which is scheduled to begin play in January and will hold weekly matches at SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. «I am sad to confirm that I will not be participating in the first TGL season,» Rahm wrote on X. «While I still think it's a great opportunity, right now it would require a level of commitment that I can't offer.
Best of luck to everyone [involved,] and may the best team win!» In a statement to ESPN, TGL said it was working to replace Rahm on its 24-player roster. «Jon is one of the most talented players in the game and we will miss him during the inaugural TGL season,» TGL officials said in the statement. «We understand that players have to balance a lot of different facets of their professional and personal lives and respect Jon's choice and wish him well.» Sources told ESPN on Thursday that Rahm, who lives in Arizona, decided to back out of his commitment partly because of the travel required to get to South Florida.
Rahm's announcement comes the same day the Boston Common Golf franchise announced its complete roster: world No. 2 golfer Rory McIlroy, Keegan Bradley, Adam Scott and Tyrrell Hatton. «I'm thrilled to join Boston Common Golf and to be representing Boston and New England's rich sports culture,» McIlroy said in a statement. «TGL brings a unique dimension to the game, and I can't wait to stand with Adam, Keegan, and Tyrrell as my teammates.