Tiger Woods shows true colors after missing out on $2.25 million payday

 Golf legend Tiger Woods has sent a message to the winning TGL team at the end of the inaugural season.

Woods and Rory McIlroy helped create the new simulated indoor golf league, which began in January. On Tuesday, Atlanta Drive won 4-3 in the second of two championship games against New York GC at the SoFi Center, with the team of Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Justin Thomas, and Lucas Glover being the first to lift the SoFi Cup.

The TGL championship victory saw Atlanta clinch the $9 million grand prize, earning the winning players $2.25M each. Woods was not in attendance for the finals but showed his class with a congratulatory message to the triumphant team.

“Congratulations to the Atlanta GC, [team owner] Arthur Blank, JT, Pat, Billy Ho and Lucas,” Woods wrote on social media. “What a finish and a great way to close out year one of TGL.”

Atlanta began the championship finals with a 6-4 victory over New York the previous day. However, in game two, Cantlay and Co were forced to battle from behind to settle the best-of-three series.

Woods' Jupiter Links GC ended the regular season with a 1-4 record, missing out on a postseason spot. Despite his team’s poor record, he and his team-mates were well-compensated, each receiving $437,500 from the $1.75M earned for finishing fifth in the regular season standings.

Following Atlanta’s victory, Horsschel praised TGL’s innovative format for adding a new dimension to the sport. "I think we all have had a lot of fun,” he said, as reported

"Obviously it is a little bit of a challenge with everything we've got going through the year with our own schedules, but I don't think anyone has ever walked away and said this felt like a burden.

"It's just something new and exciting and we all enjoyed it. To walk away as champions with these guys is pretty cool."

Having helped create TGL, Woods would have enjoyed seeing the idea come to fruition. However, the 49-year-old, who also did not attend the semi-finals after undergoing achilles surgery, admitted that he had not been at his best after Jupiter Links’ most recent defeat.

“This is the third time I’ve touched a club since my mom passed, so I haven’t really gotten into it,” he said to Sports Illustrated, prior to his latest injury setback. “My heart is really not into practicing right now.

"I’ve had so many other things to do with the Tour and trying to do other things. Once I start probably feeling a little bit better and start getting into it, I’ll start looking at the schedule.”

Away from the course, Woods issued a personal life update on Sunday as he confirmed his relationship with Vanessa Trump, the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. “Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side,” Woods posted on social media. “We look forward to our journey through life together. At this time we would appreciate privacy for all those close to our hearts.”