Jon Rahm has dropped out of the Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy led virtual golf league. This created a minor social media stir as several people quickly speculated Jon might be leaving the PGA Tour and joining the LIV Golf tour among other conspiracy theories. Rahm cited that it would require a level of committment that he can’t offer. Rahm is the first player to drop out of the league which will have six teams for a total of 24 players.
What is TGL?
TGL is a self-deemed innovative golf league in partnership with the PGA TOUR fusing advanced tech and live action in prime time. A custom facility is being built in Palm Beach County just down the road from Jupiter, Florida which is home for a lot of the big name players on the PGA TOUR. This tech based golf league was announced at the height of the battle between the PGA TOUR and LIV Golf.
On face value, it appeared to be a way to roll out a format that could include world famous golfer Tiger Woods. Even with a very limited playing schedule, Tiger Woods remains the most searched golfer online and the alpha attendance and income driver for the PGA TOUR. Certainly, TGL would also appeal to a similar golf demographic that LIV Golf is courting. Some of the highlights of TGL include:
- A giant 64’x46′ simulator screen
- From 50 yards and in players will move into a physical green complex that can be changed on each hole through the use of actuators and jacks
- A points based system that will allow teams to accrue points to be ranked for a post season bracket based championship round
- Teams will have a city based theme with Boston, Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco being announced so far
TGL has secured multiple investors including Serena and Venus Williams, Arthur Blank, Steph Curry, Steve Cohen and others. Broadcasting was picked up by ESPN in October. A majority of the players have been announced. One team is yet to be announced. The first match is scheduled for January 9th, 2024. This might not be for the golf purist. However, the introduction of competition into the golf world is certainly pushing out new ideas and ways to showcase the game and the golfers that people want to see and follow.