Collin Morikawa claims becoming a member of Los Angeles Golf Membership ‘TOPS’ Ryder Cup Crew USA call-up as he receives invite forward of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s first TGL season

Collin Morikawa likened becoming a member of Los Angeles Golf Membership to being a member of the US Ryder Cup workforce. 

The 26-year-old bought a name from Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams’s husband and co-owner of Los Angeles Golf Membership – the LA-based franchise of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL golf league enterprise. 

Ohanian FaceTimed the two-time main winner to increase an invite to affix his franchise, which Morikawa enthusiastically accepted.  

The response was maybe too enthusiastic because the American in contrast the decision to getting the call-up for the Ryder Cup – thought-about by many to be one of many biggest honors in golf. 

‘I simply bought chills via my physique. I do not assume I’ve ever answered a name like this,’ Morikawa mentioned. ‘I imply, I bought my Ryder Cup name this yr, however that is … I believe this tops it virtually.’ 

Morikawa was a member of Zach Johnson’s Crew USA for the Ryder Cup in Rome in September, marking the second time he is competed within the occasion.

Nonetheless, the US’s efficiency at Marco Simone was a catastrophe as they had been routed 16.5-11.5 by Europe amid rumors of inside fractions and hat-gate. 

And Morikawa’s response to the TGL name up could possibly be a mirrored image of the negativity surrounding Crew USA and the Ryder Cup. 

Earlier this week, Justin Thomas grew to become the primary participant to be assigned to one of many six groups within the league when it was introduced that he’ll play for Atlanta Drive GC.

‘Atlanta and the state of Georgia have been the house to among the greatest sporting occasions within the nation, and I am excited to characterize followers there as a part of TGL and Atlanta Drive GC,’ Thomas, 30, mentioned in an announcement. 

‘To be aligned with an proprietor like Arthur Clean and his unbelievable number of companies as they increase their golf portfolio appears like a terrific match for me.

‘I promise our workforce will compete onerous to win championships and have quite a lot of enjoyable alongside the best way. We’ll characterize Atlanta in one of the simplest ways doable whereas serving to develop the sport all over the place via this distinctive TGL format.’

Clean, who owns the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United of Main League Soccer, bought the TGL franchise this summer season.

Nonetheless, Woods and McIlroy’s enterprise suffered a blow Thursday when World No. 3 Jon Rahm pulled out. 

The reigning Masters champion mentioned in a Twitter put up: ‘I’m unhappy to verify that I cannot be collaborating within the first TGL season. 

‘Whereas I nonetheless assume it’s a terrific alternative, proper now it could require a stage of dedication that I can’t supply. Better of luck to everybody envolved (sic) and will the very best workforce win!’.

Rahm has been scrubbed from all of the promotions for the enterprise, which begins in January 2024. Play is about to begin on Jan. 9, with the ESPN networks exhibiting the motion 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 are also among the many 24 gamers who will compete within the league.

On Thursday, it was introduced that McIlroy, Bradley, Scott and Tyrell Hatton can be forming the workforce for Boston Widespread.  

The total rosters for the opposite franchises representing Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco have but to be introduced, and neither has the possession group for the sixth TGL franchise.