McIlroy joins Boston but Rahm pulls out of new league

Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy helped Europe regain the Ryder Cup by beating the United States in Rome earlier this year

Rory McIlroy will play for Boston Common Golf in the new TGL "high-tech league" but Jon Rahm has withdrawn.

However, Rahm, who had been one of the first to commit to TGL, wrote on social media: "I am sad to confirm I will not be participating in the first season.

"Right now it would require a level of commitment I can't offer."

Woods and McIlroy golf league launches in January

The league, which starts on 9 January 2024, will be run by TMRW Sports, the technology-focused sports company launched by Woods and McIlroy in August 2022.

"I'm thrilled to be representing Boston and New England's rich sports culture," said McIlroy, whose team is being backed by Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group.

"TGL brings a unique dimension to the game. It's a fantastic opportunity to foster regional pride that you don't often see in the game of golf."

The league will feature six teams of four players, playing each other once in a league format. Only three of the four players will compete in any one event.

Rahm's decision to pull out means 14 of the current top 20 in the world are set to take part in the competition which is scheduled to run for 15 weeks before finishing with semi-finals and a final.

Two-time major champions Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa are the only other players to be assigned to teams.

Thomas is playing for Atlanta Drive GC, while Morikawa will represent Los Angeles Golf Club, which is backed by tennis greats Serena and Venus Williams.

Basketball superstar Stephen Curry is investing in the San Francisco franchise, while Steve Cohen, who owns baseball outfit the New York Mets, is head of the TGL New York team.

The sixth and final franchise is yet to be announced.