McIlroy, Bradley named to Boston Common foursome
The first professional golf foursome to play for Boston might turn out to be a force.
One superstar, Rory McIlroy, and a trio of well-established players fill out the roster announced Thursday by Boston Common Golf, the fledgling Boston franchise of the indoor, tech-rich TGL professional startup league.
McIlroy, the 34-year-old from Northern Ireland ranked No. 2 in the world, will be joined by native New Englander Keegan Bradley (No. 16), Adam Scott (No. 45), and Tyrrell Hatton (No. 13).
McIlroy, along with Tiger Woods, is a co-founder of TGL’s parent company TMRW Sports.
McIlroy’s Symphony Ventures capital company also has joined Fenway Sports Group as the Boston franchise’s owners.
“I’m thrilled to join Boston Common Golf and to be representing Boston and New England’s rich sports culture,” said McIlroy in a press release. “TGL brings a unique dimension to the game, and I can’t wait to stand with Adam, Keegan, and Tyrrell as my teammates. It’s a fantastic opportunity that will offer us all a chance to build lasting connections and to foster regional pride that you don’t often see in the game of golf.”
Besides Woods, other players waiting to be placed on rosters for the other five teams include Matt Fitzpatrick, Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, and Patrick Cantlay.
Missing from that list is Jon Rahm, a TGL participant up until Wednesday, when his name vanished from the TGL website.
The third-ranked Rahm’s absence is a set- back for TGL, which is scheduled to begin play on Jan. 9. Rahm lives in Arizona and the matches are in South Florida, so travel could be a factor.
John Henry, the principal owner of FSG, which also owns the Red Sox, Liverpool FC, and the Pittsburgh Penguins, lauded the quartet.
“These four remarkable golfers have achieved an extraordinary list of accolades as individuals, and together as a group, they convey an unmistakable sense of exceptionalism that not only commands respect but also instills a profound sense of awe, especially among their competitors,” said Henry, who also owns the Globe. “Rory, Tyrrell, Keegan, and Adam stand at the very heart of our team’s potential for success in this groundbreaking venture and we extend our gratitude to each of them for embarking on this journey with us.”
The six TGL teams will use three players at their five regularseason matches, with four teams qualifying for the postseason. All matches will be played at the SoFi Center, a still-under-construction venue in Palm Beach, Fla., that will seat 1,600 fans.
Only a smattering of roster appointments had been announced: Justin Thomas for Atlanta Drive GC and Collin Morikawa for LAGC, Los Angeles’s team.
Teams in New York and San Francisco have yet to reveal team names, and there is one franchise left to be announced.
Bradley, who won the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn., in June and has five other PGA Tour wins, hails from Woodstock, Vt., and splits time between Newburyport and Jupiter, Fla. He played golf in high school at Hopkinton.
“I’m incredibly proud to be a part of Boston Common Golf, especially as a kid from New England,” said Bradley. “This region has a rich golfing history, and to have the opportunity to represent it is a dream come true. I come from a family deeply connected to the sport, and to represent that heritage while also contributing to a team backed by Fenway Sports Group is a unique honor.”
Hatton, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, revealed prior FSG ties.
“Being a part of the Fenway Sports Group family through Boston Common Golf is truly surreal,” said Hatton. “As a lifelong Liverpool FC fan, it’s a dream come true to be part of the same ownership group.”
The Australian Scott’s first of 14 PGA Tour wins came at the 2003 Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston in Norton.
The four golfers will be at a news conference at Fenway Park on Monday.
“As a co-founder of this visionary league, I want to express my sincere appreciation to Rory and for the partnership we have with Sean O’Flaherty of Symphony Ventures, who has been indispensable in helping us build Boston Common Golf,” said Henry. “The Symphony team have placed their trust in Fenway Sports Group, and it is an honor and a privilege to share this path with them.”