TGL team forced into late changes hours before first match of season two

The defending champions of TGL have been forced to make late changes to their roster ahead of their opening match of season two. 

Atlanta Brave will kick off their title defence in Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods' indoor golf league later today at the SoFi Center in Florida. 

Billy Horschel was supposed to be joined by his teammates Patrick Cantlay and Lucas Glover in their match against New York's Rickie Fowler, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele and Cameron Young. 

But injuries have ruled out Cantlay and Glover. 

TGL have confirmed that Canada's Corey Conners and the America's Chris Gotterup will step in and make their debuts. 

Conners is a two-time PGA Tour winner with Presidents Cup experience while Gotterup enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in 2025 with a victory at the Scottish Open. 

Justin Thomas is the fourth member of Atlanta but has been ruled due to previously announced surgery on his back. 

Thomas has confirmed that he will miss "some" events at the beginning of the 2026 PGA Tour schedule but has not outlined a timeline for a return. 

TGL is a six-team league, with each club playing five regular-season matches across a 15-match schedule. 

The top four teams will advance to the play-offs and final in March. 

McIlroy and his Boston Common Golf team will play their first match against Los Angeles on 2 January.

In the inaugural campaign, the Ballfrags failed to win a single match.  

Woods' team, Jupiter Links, play their first match on 13 January against New York. 

The 15-time major champion will not be playing as he continues the recovery for his latest back surgery. 

Woods told media in early December he hopes to participate towards the end of the season. 

He will still be in attendance to support his team, Woods said. 

What is new for season two of TGL?

The first season of TGL was met with a mixed response. 

Generally speaking, reviews have been positive with TGL officials believing they are achieving their aim of reaching a new, younger audience. 

Several notable changes have been made, though, in an attempt to improve the experience for fans in attendance and watching from home. 

For season two, the putting green has been expanded by 38 per cent, allowing for 12 hole locations, up from seven, and has been re-shaped to allow more variable contours. 

There are now signature holes for every team whilst those in attendance will be given free headsets to listen to the golfers talk in-between shots. 

The graphics have also been improved. 

Who is playing?