Cal Golf: Max Homa the Latest to Join the New TGL Venture

Max Homa has joined fellow Cal grad Collin Morikawa to the TGL, a new primetime golf league that will begin play in 2024 and hopes to attract a new, younger audience to the sport.

Homa, now ranked No. 13 in the world, joins Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Morikawa and others in the first-year venture featuring team competition in what the TGL describes as “a data-rich virtual course" in a custom-built arena.

“As I said after doing the interview with CBS Sports during the Farmers Insurance Open, I believe there is an opportunity to push the envelope for golf fans’ viewing experience,” Homa was quoted by PGAtour.com. “TGL is another example of how we can appeal to younger sports fans and TGL’s progressive approach with its use of technology will further elevate how sports fans engage with golf.

"I love the concept of TGL helping to broaden the appeal of the game we love to a wider spectrum of sports fans. From the first time I heard about it, I knew it was for me.”

Homa and Billy Horschel, ranked No. 19 in the world, are the latest players to sign on for th TGL. A total of 18 players will fill out six teams competing in a 15-match regular season, followed by playoffs, on Monday nights.

TGL founder and CEO Mike McCarley welcomed Homa and Horschel to the field of players in the field.

“Max and Billy are world-class players who also are engaging and dynamic personalities. Max and Billy, and their passionate and charismatic approach to the game, will be great additions to the roster of PGA TOUR stars joining TGL,” McCarley said. “I believe they will flourish in the TGL environment, which will feature unprecedented audio access from inside our tech-infused venue.”

Homa is a six-time PGA Tour champion, most recently winning the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, Calif., two weeks ago. He has two wins and a third-place finish in his past five outings.

Because matches are played on Monday nights, they will not compete with the usual Thursday-through-Sunday PGA events.

Morikawa, who turned 26 on Monday, was announced along with Australian Adam Scott several weeks ago to join the TGL. Besides Others committed are Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas.

Cover photo of Cal grad Max Homa, right, and Billy Horschel by Peter Casey, USA Today

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo