Rory McIlroy to play in TGL Playoffs but Tiger Woods still sidelined

One TGL co-founder will be in the arena on Tuesday night. The other will be watching from the sidelines.

Rory McIlroy has been confirmed in the lineup for Boston Common Golf in the TGL semi-finals despite recent concerns over a lingering back issue, while fellow league co-founder Tiger Woods will once again sit out as he continues his recovery.

TGL, the tech-driven indoor league with access only for PGA Tour stars, heads into its playoff stage on Tuesday night with two semi-final matches. McIlroy will feature in the later clash as Boston Common take on Jupiter Links GC at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.

McIlroy will team up with Keegan Bradley and Adam Scott as Boston Common look to secure a place in the TGL championship match. 

Standing in their way is a Jupiter Links side made up of Akshay Bhatia, Max Homa and Tom Kim.

But notably absent from Jupiter Links is Woods.

The 15-time major champion has not yet returned to competition following a back procedure last autumn. 

Speaking during last month’s Genesis Invitational, which he hosted for his TGR Foundation at Riviera, Woods revealed his recovery was progressing but declined to put a timetable on when he might return to competitive action.

While the 50-year-old has not ruled out a potential appearance at The Masters at famed Augusta National from 9-12 April, Woods has continued to take a cautious approach — and that means sitting out the TGL Playoffs for now.

Even so, Woods has remained heavily involved in the league’s atmosphere. He has regularly attended matches, including last week when Jupiter Links clinched their playoff spot thanks to a spectacular hole-in-one from Kim that sparked one of the most memorable celebrations of the season.

McIlroy’s participation had looked uncertain last week. 

The five-time major champion withdrew midway through the Arnold Palmer Invitational two weeks ago due to back discomfort, raising doubts about when he might next compete. 

He then returned to action last week to defend his title at The Players Championship but finished tied for 46th at TPC Sawgrass.

After the final round, McIlroy admitted he was unsure when he would next play and offered little clarity on whether he would take part in the TGL postseason.

But that uncertainty has now been resolved — and Boston Common will have their biggest name leading the charge in the semi-finals. 

The winner of Tuesday night’s clash between Boston Common and Jupiter Links will advance to the TGL championship match on 23 March.

Awaiting them will be the victor from the other semi-final, which sees Atlanta Drive GC face New York Golf Club at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Atlanta Drive, the inaugural TGL champions after defeating New York in last season’s final, will field Patrick Cantlay, Chris Gotterup and Billy Horschel as they look to defend their title.

New York Golf Club will counter with Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Sahith Theegala.

Interestingly, two of the biggest names from last week’s Players Championship will not feature in that match. Cameron Young and Matt Fitzpatrick — the tournament’s winner and runner-up respectively — have not been included in New York’s semi-final lineup.

Fitzpatrick is one of GolfMagic's betting tips at this week's Valspar Championship, as we look to land three winning picks in a row. 

With McIlroy back in action, a spot in the TGL final on the line and several of the game’s biggest names involved, Tuesday night promises to be one of the league’s biggest moments yet — even if Woods will once again be watching rather than playing.