Rickie Fowler’s admission ahead of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods’ TGL launch

American golfer Rickie Fowler has expressed his surprise at his selection for the team representing New York in the forthcoming innovative golf league TGL.

Set to commence in Palm Beach Gardens this January, the TGL will showcase the PGA Tour’s top players competing in a purpose-built arena housing state-of-the-art simulator equipment.

The league, the brainchild of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, sees 24 golfers split into six teams for the indoor contest. Fowler will represent the New York Golf Club, alongside Xander Schauffele, Cameron Young, and Matt Fitzpatrick for the 2025 season.

The quartet’s connection to New York is tenuous at best; Young is the sole native, with Fowler from California, Schauffele from San Diego, and Fitzpatrick from England. The association of the players to their corresponding teams appears loose, with Fowler not quite sure how he ended up on his team. 

“If I am being completely honest I am not sure,” Fowler told The Smylie Show after he was quizzed on how he was selected for the team. “I don’t know how the whole [selection] process necessarily went. Luckily I was in a position where I heard that a few different teams wanted to have me.

“Which is great to be in that spot, but I think that is above my pay grade. I am not sure how the guys, other than maybe like Tiger being with Jupiter Links, I think that might have been a shoo-in. I don’t know how they went through the process…

“There is definitely some continuity with some guys that makes sense. Like Cam Young in our team, growing up in New York, but you obviously couldn’t have teams where everyone was either from or had ties to that area. I am definitely excited.”

Fowler has joined a host of big names at the SoFi Center this week to test the equipment, with media getting a sneak peek of what’s in store.

A novel feature for TGL matches will be a shot clock, enforcing a 40-second limit for players to take their shot. Slow play has long been a contentious issue in professional golf, yet Fowler is confident it won’t affect him at the SoFi Center.

“I don’t see any issue on my side,” he declared. “I know there’s going to be issues that guys will come across. There’s going to be some timeouts used, that’s for sure.”

Fowler is set to star in the inaugural TGL match on January 7, with his New York squad taking on The Bay Golf Club in the opening gameweek.