‘Golf reimagined’ as TGL circuit backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy tees off

MIAMI – Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy unveil their Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) on Jan 7 (Jan 8, Singapore time), hoping the tech-infused competition will capture the imagination of tour pros and a new global fan base.

“This is what we’ve been shooting for,” Woods said in December as he looked forward to the futuristic event’s debut, which was delayed by a year after a roof collapse at the SoFi Centre venue in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

“We’re trying to bring a new demographic to this game of golf, and it’s going to be exciting. As a showcase, it’s going to be unbelievable on TV. I hope that we can invigorate the game because it definitely needs it right now.”

McIlroy, speaking to TGL’s United States broadcaster ESPN, called the venture “golf, but reimagined”.

“Sort of trying to take golf into the 21st century,” the Northern Irishman said. “Obviously there’s a lot of technology involved, trying to bring it into the digital era.

“A lot of things that we’ve taken from other sports, like a shot clock, a timeout, things that you don’t see in regular golf... trying to appeal to that bigger sports audience out there.”

It is no accident that the league – which will feature 24 PGA Tour players divided into six teams competing once a week over several months – was announced as the game grappled with the global rift between the upstart LIV Golf circuit and the established US and European tours.

While the rhetoric has calmed, plans to actually bring the warring factions back together remain stalled.

Woods and McIlroy – along with ESPN, British broadcaster Sky Sports and a string of heavyweight investors – are hoping that the combination of golf skill and technical innovation on display will prove a winning combination for fans.

The 250,000 sq ft SoFi Centre arena, with a seating capacity of 1,500, will feature a raft of innovations. Players will hit into a massive simulator screen from areas of actual mown grass, rough or even sand.

A short-game area that transforms between holes can rotate the green to change approach angles and alter its topography.

“The rotating green blew me away,” added Woods. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun for not just us but also for the fan experience.”

Each four-man team will select three players to compete per match. All three will team for nine holes of alternate shot, followed by six holes of singles with each golfer playing two holes.

Four teams advance to the play-offs with a title series in March. The winning team will earn US$9 million (S$12.3 million).

The Jan 7 opener will feature Rickie Fowler, Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele of the New York Golf Club taking on Shane Lowry, Wyndham Clark and Ludvig Aberg of the Bay Golf Club.

Woods’ Jupiter Links team are slated for action against Los Angeles Golf Club in Week 2.

Clark, the 2023 US Open champion, said the fast-paced format – designed to have the matches finish in two hours – could be a drawing card to new fans and the indoor venue will make players seem more accessible.

“The challenge with golf is that people are farther away, but this is really intimate,” he said. “People are going to see our personalities.” AFP