For nearly a century, teams of golfers and fans have played in international tournaments such as the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup.
LIV Golf has changed that. When launched in 2022, the Saudi-backed circuit included a team element. There are currently 13 squads, each with its own brand and logo. Some of them have signed sponsorship contracts.
Golf's newest venture, TGL, also embraces team play. The Indoor Golf League has six teams, each with four PGA Tour pros. Unlike LIV, TGL is geographically focused, with teams from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, New York, Atlanta, and Jupiter, Florida all participating in the league. Granted, all of these teams compete at the SoFi Center in South Florida, so they're not operating out of these areas. But TGL wanted to focus on these markets to gain attention and increase competition between cities such as New York and Boston.
Imagine if LIV Golf had its own TGL team.
After all, Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton committed to TGL a year ago before moving to LIV. However, Rahm and Hatton are unable to compete in the TGL match as they have jumped to LIV. Open to PGA Tour members only.
Nevertheless, Mike McCarley, founder of TGL along with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, said: josh carpenter sports business journal “Yes, of course,” he said, saying he had a list of potential LIV players in his head.
So who would it be?
Rahm and Hatton are also likely to be included on that list.
Rahm is currently a two-time major champion and one of the most popular players in the world. And whether or not he wins another major, he will be remembered as one of the best players of his generation. Hatton is a top-20 player, but the unfiltered Brit too often waxes poetic on the course, but not in the right way. No one knows what's going to pop out of Hutton's mouth, which makes him incredibly entertaining. That, combined with his ability to compete in the majors on a regular basis, will book him into playing. Rahm also has fair matchup experience with Hot Mike, and both players would be notable additions to TGL. First and foremost, this is an entertainment piece, and what better way to entertain these two passionate and competitive personalities.
Add Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka and you have the LIV Golf team of DeChambeau, Koepka, Rahm and Hatton.
A story about fireworks.
DeChambeau, not named Tiger Woods, is currently the most popular player on the planet, thanks to a rapidly increasing number of YouTube subscribers and social media followers. He became a cultural icon, filming videos with the President of the United States and attempting a hole-in-one try over his home. His presence in TGL matches will only increase ratings and will help it in the long run.
Koepka, on the other hand, is a five-time major champion and remains one of the toughest players in the world. He has an outspoken and somewhat aggressive personality and often tells you exactly how he feels. His nonchalant personality will make it fun for fans to listen to TGL matches.
Of course, given the divisive nature of professional golf, LIV Golf Team's entry into TGL territory would be a shock to the entire sport. Conflict soon arises and the LIV team adopts a “world vs. world” mentality. Rahm, Hatton, DeChambeau and Koepka will be the newcomers that no one wants to be associated with, so that will entertain golf fans around the world.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.
