LIV Golf star hands Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy dilemma after setback

Tyrrell Hatton’s recent move to LIV Golf has sparked a significant dilemma for golf icons Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. With Hatton’s departure from their TGL roster, McIlroy and Woods are now faced with the task of finding a replacement to fill the void in their upcoming indoor golf league.

The TGL, a unique venture spearheaded by McIlroy and Woods, was originally slated to commence in January 2025. However, unforeseen delays due to stadium damage pushed the launch back by a year. Hatton was initially on board as part of the Boston Common team alongside McIlroy, Keegan Bradley, and Adam Scott, with agreements finalized as early as last October.

Yet, just a mere three months later, Hatton surprised many by announcing his decision to switch alliances to LIV Golf at the close of January, effectively removing his name from the TGL roster altogether. This abrupt departure has left two vacancies in McIlroy and Woods’ lineup. Adding to the challenge, another departure from the European contingent occurred with Jon Rahm’s defection to LIV Golf, leaving yet another gap in the TGL roster.

Rahm, who had previously committed to TGL and even secured a record-breaking deal last December, opted to join forces with Greg Norman under the Legion XIII banner, aligning himself with his Ryder Cup compatriot Hatton. Hatton, initially enthusiastic about TGL and his affiliation with the Boston team, which is owned by Fenway Sports Group (FSG), expressed his excitement last October.

“Being a part of the Fenway Sports Group family through Boston Common Golf is truly surreal,” Hatton remarked. “As a lifelong Liverpool FC fan, it’s a dream come true to be part of the same ownership group. This is an incredible opportunity to represent the spirit of excellence and winning that Fenway Sports Group embodies, and to play with some of the golfers I have admired throughout my career.”

With Hatton’s departure, McIlroy and Woods find themselves in a race against time to secure suitable replacements and ensure the success of their burgeoning indoor golf league venture.