After securing a T2 finish at The Genesis Invitational on February 22, Rory McIlroy wasted no time leaving California.

The Northern Irishman wrapped up his runner-up performance at Riviera Country Club late Sunday night before boarding a flight back to Florida.

With strong, favorable winds pushing the aircraft across the country, the journey took under four hours.

“The flight was very, very fast, under four hours. Big tailwind. I got home last night about half past midnight, got a decent night’s sleep, brought Poppy to school, took a nap during the day, and then here.” McIlroy said during the press conference ahead of Boston’s matchup against Atlanta Drive GC.

The bond between Rory McIlroy and his daughter, Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, has become central to how he approaches golf and life. Poppy was born on August 31, 2020, in Jupiter, Florida, to McIlroy and his wife, Erica Stoll. 

As McIlroy continued competing, Poppy began appearing at tournaments. At the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, she stood with him after he won the Green Jacket. 

During the ceremony, he told her, “Never give up on your dreams.” The statement linked his win to a lesson for her.

At the same time, McIlroy has spoken about how fatherhood has changed him. He has said that results no longer control his mood once he leaves the course. 

Instead, he shifts his attention to family. He has explained that his wife and daughter help him separate performance from identity.

From there, attention turned to his TGL responsibilities. As co-founder of TGL and captain of Boston Common Golf, McIlroy had league duties waiting.

Rory McIlroy at the 2026 TGL

Outside his PGA Tour schedule, five-time major winner Rory McIlroy also spends time in TGL, the league he helped build. 

There, he is not just a participant. He serves as captain of Boston Common Golf and remains involved in the league’s direction.

In the first season in 2025, Boston did not reach the playoffs. Even so, McIlroy stayed committed. When the second season began in December 2025, he returned with the same group structure in place and a clearer understanding of the format.

For 2026, the team includes McIlroy, Keegan Bradley, Hideki Matsuyama, and Adam Scott. Michael Thorbjornsen is listed as the alternate and steps in when schedules overlap. It is a setup that requires coordination, especially with players balancing PGA Tour events.

The regular season consists of five matches. On January 2, Boston earned a 7–5 win over the Los Angeles Golf Club, giving the franchise its first victory in the league. 

Later, on February 23, Boston suffered its first loss of the season, falling 5–2 to Atlanta Drive GC in the opening match of the doubleheader.

Do you think Boston Common Golf can turn things around and make a serious run this TGL season? Tell us in the comments and read more at Daily Club Golf!

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu