TGL Opening night starts with a rout and mixed reactions: video highlights

The TGL, a new tech-driven golf league co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, kicked off its inaugural season yesterday. Whether this will shake up golf or baby fade away remains to be seen.

The TGL, a new technology-infused golf league co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, launched its inaugural season Tuesday night at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Following a year-long delay, the league opened with a match between Bay Golf Club and New York Golf Club, where Bay Golf Club secured a dominant 9-2 victory.

Represented by Ludvig Åberg, Wyndham Clark, and Shane Lowry, Bay Golf Club defeated New York Golf Club, which featured Matt Fitzpatrick, Rickie Fowler, and Xander Schauffele. The match ended after just 10 of the scheduled 15 holes, with Bay clinching the win decisively.

Well played. pic.twitter.com/7EeEoECQFb

— TGL (@TGL) January 8, 2025

Each TGL match is divided into two segments. The first segment, called “triples,” uses a 3-on-3 alternate-shot format across nine holes. The final six holes are contested in a “singles” format, with individual head-to-head matchups.

The league’s high-tech features included that bonkers rotating green and laser guides directing golfers to their ball locations once they were close enough to the green. And while we did think it was all very cool and engaging, the repetitive nature of driving into the large screen and the same green had us wondering about the format’s long-term appeal.

The introduction of a 40-second shot clock was another highlight that should really be introduced into real tournament golf.

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