- Collin Morikawa was the first member confirmed for Los Angeles Golf Club
- Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods’ golf league venture begins on January 9
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Collin Morikawa likened joining Los Angeles Golf Club to being a member of the US Ryder Cup team.
The 26-year-old got a call from Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams’s husband and co-owner of Los Angeles Golf Club – the LA-based franchise of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL golf league venture.
Ohanian FaceTimed the two-time major winner to extend an invitation to join his franchise, which Morikawa enthusiastically accepted.
The response was perhaps too enthusiastic as the American compared the call to getting the call-up for the Ryder Cup – considered by many to be one of the greatest honors in golf.
‘I just got chills through my body. I don’t think I’ve ever answered a call like this,’ Morikawa said. ‘I mean, I got my Ryder Cup call this year, but this is … I think this tops it almost.’
Collin Morikawa received a call from co-owner Alexis Ohanian to join Los Angeles Golf Club
The two-time major winner compared the call to getting the call-up for the Ryder Cup
Morikawa was a member of Zach Johnson’s Team USA for the Ryder Cup in Rome in September, marking the second time he’s competed in the event.
However, the US’s performance at Marco Simone was a disaster as they were routed 16.5-11.5 by Europe amid rumors of internal fractions and hat-gate.
And Morikawa’s reaction to the TGL call up could be a reflection of the negativity surrounding Team USA and the Ryder Cup.
Earlier this week, Justin Thomas became the first player to be assigned to one of the six teams in the league when it was announced that he will play for Atlanta Drive GC.
‘Atlanta and the state of Georgia have been the home to some of the biggest sporting events in the country, and I’m excited to represent fans there as part of TGL and Atlanta Drive GC,’ Thomas, 30, said in a statement.
‘To be aligned with an owner like Arthur Blank and his incredible variety of businesses as they expand their golf portfolio feels like a great fit for me.
‘I promise our team will compete hard to win championships and have a lot of fun along the way. We will represent Atlanta in the best way possible while helping grow the game everywhere through this unique TGL format.’
Blank, who owns the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United of Major League Soccer, purchased the TGL franchise this summer.
However, Woods and McIlroy’s venture suffered a blow Thursday when World No. 3 Jon Rahm pulled out.
The reigning Masters champion said in a Twitter post: ‘I am sad to confirm that I will not be participating in the first TGL season.
‘While I still think it’s a great opportunity, right now it would require a level of commitment that I can’t offer. Best of luck to everyone envolved (sic) and may the best team win!’.
Masters champion Jon Rahm has pulled out of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s Golf League
The news is a blow for McIlroy and Woods, with the league launching in only two months
Rahm has been scrubbed from all the promotions for the venture, which starts in January 2024. Play is set to start on Jan. 9, with the ESPN networks showing the action over 15 regular-season matches, plus the semifinals and finals.
Fellow majors winners Woods, McIlroy, Adam Scott, Justin Rose, Matt Fitzpatrick, Keegan Bradley and Shane Lowry also are among the 24 players who will compete in the league.
On Thursday, it was announced that McIlroy, Bradley, Scott and Tyrell Hatton would be forming the team for Boston Common.
The full rosters for the other franchises representing Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco have yet to be announced, and neither has the ownership group for the sixth TGL franchise.