Korean star Tom Kim has committed to TGL presented by SoFi alongside three members of the victorious European Team members at last week’s Ryder Cup, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton and Shane Lowry.
The quartet join the previously announced Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, who were also part of the European Team in Rome, in addition to Tiger Woods, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Adam Scott, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, Rickie Fowler, and Billy Horschel.
Tom Kim, who made his Presidents Cup International Team debut in 2022 and is a two-time PGA TOUR winner, becomes the first Asian golfer to be part of the new primetime golf league in partnership with the PGA TOUR that fuses technology, live action with teams of PGA TOUR stars and entertainment across a season of matches starting in January 2024.
The latest wave of player commitments was announced by TMRW Sports co-founders Woods, McIlroy, and founder and CEO Mike McCarley.
“The excitement of team golf was on display at last week’s Ryder Cup and we are thrilled to carry some of that momentum into the 2024 TGL season. Not only are Tommy, Tyrrell, Shane and Tom some of the best competitors and players in the world, but all four bring unique personalities to the sport. The momentum and excitement for TGL continues to soar,” said McCarley.
Tom Kim (Korea): Kim became the first PGA TOUR winner born after 2000 with his maiden PGA TOUR title at the 2022 Wyndham Championship. His victory at the 2022 Shriners Children’s Open made him the first player since Tiger Woods in 1996 to win twice on the PGA TOUR before turning 21 years old. While his accomplishments on the course caught the eye of golf fans and other players, his performance, passion and team attitude for the International Team at the 2022 Presidents Cup took him to another level of stardom.
“I’m a firm believer that TGL is going to be an incredible opportunity to reach a younger generation and fans in Korea, specifically, and across Asia. The mix of technology and competition is exactly what friends my age are interested in consuming. To join an incredible list of top players, many of whom I have watched myself as a fan, is a dream come true,” Kim said.
“Tom is clutch with a putter in his hand, and I’m continually impressed with his dedication to the game and how much he has already accomplished. He works incredibly hard, and it shows. It’s amazing to see the sport continue to grow globally, and Tom has played a huge part in that,” said Woods.
TGL presented by SoFi will be staged in the SoFi Center, a purpose-built arena in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on the campus of Palm Beach State College. Technology is a foundational element of TGL, offering fans a cutting-edge, shorter format presentation of team golf, featuring many of the PGA TOUR’s biggest superstars.
Key elements of TGL include:
- TGL Teams: Six teams of top PGA TOUR players in three-player, head-to-head match play.
- Custom-Built Venue: SoFi Center is a first-of-its-kind experience for golf enabled by a data-rich, virtual course paired with a tech-infused, short-game complex.
- Tech-Enabled Fan Experience: High-energy, greenside fan experience with every shot live within a two-hour televised match. All TGL players will be mic’d up.
- Inaugural Season: 15 regular season matches followed by semifinals and finals matches, on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+ in the U.S.
Currently four of six team ownership groups have been announced:
- TGL Atlanta: led by Arthur M. Blank, AMB Sports and Entertainment (Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, PGA TOUR Superstores)
- TGL Boston: led by John Henry, Tom Werner, and Fenway Sports Group (Boston Red Sox, Liverpool FC, Pittsburgh Penguins)
- Los Angeles Golf Club: led by Alexis Ohanian (Angel City FC), Serena Williams, and Venus Williams; as well as limited partners the Antetokounmpo brothers, Alex Morgan, Servando Carrasco and Michelle Wie West
- TGL New York: led by Steven A. Cohen (New York Mets), Cohen Private Ventures
TMRW Sports has attracted many other investors in all-star celebrities and pro athletes such as Justin Timberlake and Lewis Hamilton.
On the heels of the European Team’s 16 ½ – 11 ½ victory over the U.S. Team at last week’s Ryder Cup, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton and Shane Lowry are excited to commit to TGL which aims to attract a new generation of golfers and sports fans.
Tommy Fleetwood (England): Fleetwood, who scored the winning point and performed well at the Ryder Cup with a 3-1-0 record, is currently ranked No. 13 in the Official World Golf Ranking. A winner of seven events on the DP World Tour, the English 32-year-old was undefeated in Foursomes with a 2-0-0 record and defeated Rickie Fowler 3&1 in the second-to-last group during Sunday’s singles to secure the cup for the European Team.
“I have been excited about the TGL since it was announced. Many of my fondest memories in golf have been playing in team competitions. With the players who have already been announced along with the names and stature of the ownership groups and investors, the league is in position to showcase our sport in a cool format to a new group of viewers and fans,” said Fleetwood.
Tyrrell Hatton (England): Hatton, who has combined for seven wins between the DP World Tour and the PGA TOUR, also won his Sunday singles match with a 3&2 victory over Brian Harman. For the week, Hatton was undefeated with a record of 3-0-1.
“I’m very excited to join the boys as part of TGL. It’s great to see golf try something new by playing in customized venue using new technology,” said Hatton. “I am looking forward to getting started to introduce golf to new audiences. There are so many amazing people that are a part of the TGL and I cannot wait to see what team I am going to be a part of.”
Shane Lowry (Ireland): Lowry is a six-time winner between the DP World Tour and the PGA TOUR including his 2019 victory at the Open Championship as well as the BMW PGA Championship in 2022. Lowry tied Jordan Spieth to earn a half point for the Europeans and enjoyed winning the Ryder Cup for the first time in his career.
“Everything I’ve heard about TGL is really intriguing. Between Ryder Cups and World Cups, I’ve always enjoyed playing with a partner or for a team. It’s great to see golf being creative and trying new things. I imagine this will be a lot of fun,” said Lowry.
