Rory McIlroy mocked over US Open collapse before TGL exit

Much of the intrigue before the launch of TGL in January surrounded the interactions between some of the best players in the world competing against each other. 

Would golfers be able to double up as entertainers while mic’d up at the So-Fi Center, the purpose-built arena for Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s made-for-TV indoor league?

The response has been mixed so far as the first season nears its conclusion, with some comfortable in engaging with the broadcasts, while others prefer to let their golf do the talking.

In the whole, though, the interactions have been extremely cordial.

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It turns out that the same warmth hasn’t been shared by those running the TGL’s social media channels.

After McIlroy missed a short putt for Boston Common in the defeat to New York Golf Club on Monday night, he was mercilessly reminded of his US Open collapse.

“Didn’t know we were playing Pinehurst…” the New York team posted on X, inevitably causing a stir.

McIlroy, of course, was being reminded of his agonising misses – two inside four feet on 16 and 18 – to lose last year’s US Open to Bryson DeChambeau.

His team were beaten 10-6 by New York, meaning Boston Common are eliminated having failed to reach the playoffs.

Woods’ Jupiter Links team are also out, leaving New York, Los Angeles Golf Club, The Bay Golf Club and Atlanta Drive as the four teams remaining.

“It’s been a lot of fun being in here, competing against the best players in the world, competing with some of the best players in the world,” McIlroy said afterwards.

“I’ve been sort of a part of this since it was just an idea, so to see it come to life this year and to see the reception to it, that’s been really, really cool and something that I know I’m very proud of and all the team behind this concept are very proud of, as well.”

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Reflecting on the inaugural season, McIlroy added: “I think that’s the cool thing about this, as well, is you’ve got the semi-finals in a couple weeks’ time and then the final and then it’s gone for nine months. Hopefully by the time January rolls around again, people are excited to watch it.

“After the next few weeks, we’ll let the major championship season kick in and obviously have people be super interested in that.

“But January, February, March when there’s not a ton going on at night time, especially up in the northeast, I think it’s a fun thing for people to be able to sit down and watch on a Monday and Tuesday night.”

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.