The real reason why Scheffler and Hovland aren't in Tiger and Rory's golf league

Golf fans were speculating why Jordan Spieth, Scottie Scheffler and Viktor Hovland aren't involved in Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's golf league. Here’s the answer…

Ben Smith

19 Oct 2023

The real reason why Scheffler and Hovland aren't in Tiger and Rory's golf league — The real reason why Scheffler and Hovland aren't in Tiger and Rory's golf…

The roster for Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's golf league TGL has now been confirmed.

But there are some notable absentees who have reportedly chosen not to take part.

And that would be World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth and the reigning FedEx Cup champion Viktor Hovland.

Given those involved, you'd expect these three players would have been offered the opportunity to be in the boy's club.

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Make no mistake, the league has been in the works for a long time but work behind-the-scenes has accelerated due to the LIV Golf threat.

TGL is operated by TMRW Sports, of which PGA Tour loyalists Woods, 47, and McIlroy, 33, are principle partners.

The PGA Tour is said to have an 18 per cent stake in TGL and the overall business model is also going to resemble the NFL's.

On the surface the lack of Scheffler, Hovland's and Spieth's involvement appears interesting. Especially in the case of Scheffler as he is affiliated with Nike.

Hovland is likely the most in-form player on the planet given his exploits at the Tour Championship and the Ryder Cup. Spieth is also extremely close friends with Justin Thomas.

But the reality of the situation is that it appears to have come down to logistics.

Both Scheffler and Spieth live in the state of Texas and therefore that makes the commute to Florida, where the league is based, burdensome.

As for Hovland, he lives in the state of Oklahoma.

TGL begins on 9 January and will be based at SoFi Center, a purpose-built arena in Palm Beach Gardens.

Golf fans also speculated the absent golfers are also more than content with the money they are making, given the PGA Tour's signature events offer prize purses similar to that of LIV.

Who is taking part in TGL?