In Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Ludvig Aberg made history by scoring the first birdie in TGL’s debut match. The indoor golf competition, long envisioned by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, finally kicked off with players from New York Golf Club and The Bay Golf Club facing off. The match lasted just under two hours, with The Bay emerging victorious with a score of 9-2 over New York.
Trash talk was part of the event, even among teammates, adding to the fun atmosphere. The fast-paced game saw Aberg sinking a 9-footer to secure the first point in league play. Woods and McIlroy, instrumental in bringing TGL to life, were present at the event, along with DJ Khaled.
The high-tech venue at Palm Beach State College featured various playing surfaces, including real grass and sand from Augusta National Golf Club. Microphones on players, betting options, and enthusiastic fans created an energetic environment akin to a “glorified man cave,” as described by Rickie Fowler.
The intense competition culminated in a 729-yard par-5 hole, with players showcasing their skills and engaging with the crowd throughout the match. Woods praised the lively atmosphere and interaction with fans, setting the stage for future matches featuring other clubs in the TGL league.
S — six teams of four — and the top four teams advance to the playoffs with a best-of-three championship series two weeks before the Masters. Each team activates three players for a match, and the 15-hole competitions will be done in about two hours. It’ll all be shown on ESPN platforms, often in prime time. The league has been in the works for a few years; the original plan was for it to start last year, but a storm slowed construction and organizers pushed the debut back to 2025.
“It’s not traditional golf, yes,” Woods said. “But it is golf. And that’s the main thing.”
And, as Fowler pointed out, the crowd in the arena is one thing, but how television viewers accept it will be the big test.
“If it does well there, the sky’s the limit with what you can do,” Fowler said. “You can put up arenas in different places. This is just the start.”
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