Sports fans have been reacting to Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods’ new high-tech golf league following its launch.
The TGL has earned mixed reviews from spectators who have been reacting to the virtual format and shot clock.
This ambitious project, which Woods and McIlroy have been gearing up to launch, is set to spotlight 24 leading PGA Tour names in weekly broadcasted clashes at an exclusive indoor venue in Florida.
The roster boasts six teams comprising four players each, including heavy hitters like Atlanta Drive GC, Boston Common Golf, New York Golf Club, The Bay Golf Club, Jupiter Links GC, and LAGC. Positioned as a fusion of traditional golf and modern tech, TGL unfolds indoors, utilising vast golf simulators as part of its drive to weave technology into the game’s fabric.
JUST IN: Best is yet to come for Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, as TGL gets huge TV ratings boost
The opening event featured the likes of golf stars Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler, and Matt Fitzpatrick of New York Golf Club who took on Wyndham Clark, Shane Lowry, and Ludvig Aberg representing The Bay Golf Club.
The reaction to the TGL has been mixed. Some have praised the idea of a shot clock and enjoyed for the facilities at Palm Beach State College’s advanced SoFi Center streamed in, reports the Express.
One fan said on social media: “Yep, it’s something….first impressions is hopefully this normalises a shot clock”.
Another added: “I actually don’t hate it yet. I’m mostly jealous that there’s a place that exists with a 3000 square foot simulator screen and a green / pitching area that can change contours. That’s actually cool. Imagine having that as a practice facility”.
The innovative TGL has been making waves, with one fan sharing: “I like the technology and engineering of it. Also love the different style and shot clock to make it fast paced (once it actually started).”
Another highlighted their enjoyment: “I’m enjoying it so far… watching the ball fly on the screen with a shot tracker is weird for me… but other than that I’m enjoying it. the pace is good and the inane banter is minimal… a win so far IMO.”
The creative course layout also drew comments, with one viewer saying: “Unrealistic holes are a choice but given that it’s virtual anyway, I think I’m good with it? I mean watching someone play virtual St Andrews wouldn’t measure up… so something new. Who knows.”
Meanwhile, not everyone was impressed. One fan criticised the event for a specific omission: “How does TGL, a made for TV golf simulator league, not show the distance on the shot tracer,” while another questioned additional features: “What purpose does the ref serve?”
Some viewers found the presentation lacking excitement, particularly due to a sluggish start: “It’s already boring,” complained an individual, referring to the 17-minute delay before action commenced. 17 minutes before they hit their first shot. Hype man. Pass.”
One person advised a livelier debut for such an event: “If I were launching a FUN NEW EXCITING golf league, I wouldn’t have the first 15 minutes of the inaugural TV window consist of … golfer interviews and rules/format explanations.”
In TGL, the team accumulating the most points emerges victorious, with each hole’s winner bagging one point. A match is made up of 15 holes and two sessions: the first session is a ‘triples’ nine-hole three vs three foursomes match, while the second session is a ‘singles’ one-on-one duel over six holes, where each player competes in two holes.
If matches end in a tie after regular play, an overtime challenge akin to a penalty shootout is initiated, where a team must land two shots closer to the hole than their rivals to claim victory.
Once the 15-week season wraps up, the top four teams in the league will battle it out in the playoffs, culminating in a best-of-three final to crown the inaugural TGL champion.
