Breaking
Tag

PGA Tour

Browsing
GOLF

Rory McIlroy’s dirty divorce laundry to be aired in public as emotional clip released

By
Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy has shed light on the difficulties of balancing his professional golfing career with his personal life.

In a frank admission ahead of last year’s PGA Championship, he disclosed that he and his wife Erica Stoll were contemplating divorce.

However, they later reconciled and halted the proceedings. Now, almost a year after the initial shock, a sneak peek of Netflix’s ‘Full Swing’ indicates that McIlroy’s personal tribulations will be woven into the narrative.

READ: Tiger Woods withdraws from playing return at Genesis Invitational following the passing of his mother

In the series, he admits: “I’ve struggled with trying to be the best golfer, the best husband, the best dad.”

The sincere revelation from McIlroy, who first announced their marital troubles in May 2024, is featured in the documentary series. The trailer also captures journalists reacting to the breaking news and a moment where McIlroy, conscious of being filmed by Netflix, remarks over the phone: “The Netflix cameras are following me right now” before turning away.

A month after the divorce news surfaced, McIlroy confirmed that he and Stoll would stay together. He stated at the time: “There have been rumours about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumour is a fool’s game.

“Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realised that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”

Amidst the speculation, McIlroy suffered one of his most crushing losses. At the U.S. Open held at Pinehurst, Rory seemed poised for his fifth major title, leading by two shots with just five holes to go. However, a disappointing finish saw him bogey three of the last four holes, allowing Bryson DeChambeau to snatch the title away.

Following this setback, McIlroy took a break, stepping back to recharge before returning to compete in the Genesis Scottish Open in July and The Open Championship. This season started on a high note for the Northern Irishman as he clinched the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am title earlier this month.

It marked his 27th PGA Tour title win and his first since May of the previous year. “To win at one of the cathedrals of golf is really, really cool. I knew today was going to be tough and exciting, there were so many guys around the lead,” McIlroy told CBS Sports after the event.

“With it being Pebble Beach, I had to put that to the back of my mind and just go out there and try to shoot a score, which I was able to. But yeah, really cool to have that walk up 18, sort of take it all in.”

Keep Reading
By
GOLF

President Trump is on PGA’s side in LIV dispute – McIlroy

By
Rory McIlroy Donald Trump

Rory McIlroy believes Donald Trump is “on the PGA Tour’s side” in its ongoing dispute with rival tour LIV Golf having discussed the topic while playing golf with the US President prior to his inauguration.

Speaking before the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines, the Northern Irishman said Trump had told him that he did not like LIV’s 54-hole format.

Trump met with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and player director Adam Scott last week as the organisation seeks help in talks with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which funds LIV.

READ: Tiger Woods withdraws from playing return at Genesis Invitational following the passing of his mother

The PGA Tour has been in protracted negotiations with PIF in an attempt to heal the split in world golf.

“The President, he can do a lot of things,” McIlroy said. “He has direct access to Yasir [Al-Rumayyan, governor of the PIF]’s boss [Mohammed bin Salman]. Not many people have that.

“Not many people can say, ‘I want you to get this deal done and by the way, I’m speaking to your boss, I’m going to tell him the same thing’.

“He [Trump] can be influential. I saw it when I was playing with Sheikh Hamdan of Abu Dhabi [on] the day [Trump] got elected in November. I don’t think people appreciate how much respect he has [in the Middle East].

“Whenever he says something, they listen and I think that’s a big thing.”

McIlroy said he had played golf with Trump “a few weeks ago” and had “a good discussion”.

“I learnt that he’s not a fan of the LIV format,” McIlroy said, adding that he put it to the President that he had hosted LIV events.

“He was like, ‘yeah, but it doesn’t mean that I like it’, so I think he’s on the Tour’s side,” McIlroy added.

‘Everyone’s just got to get over it’

McIlroy has been a staunch opponent of LIV Golf in recent years but believes it is time for golf to unify.

“Whether you stayed on the PGA Tour or left, we have all benefited from this,” the world number three said.

“I’ve been on the record saying this a lot. We’re playing for a 20 million dollar prize fund this week [and] that would have never happened if LIV hadn’t come around.

“I think everyone’s just got to get over it and we all have to say ‘okay, this is the starting point and we move forward’. We don’t look to the past.

“Whatever’s happened has happened. How we all come back together and move forward, that’s the best thing for everyone.”

LIV Golf started in 2022 and, lured by huge signing on fees and prize funds, several top players moved from the PGA Tour circuit, including Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia.

Keep Reading
By
GOLF

Rory McIlroy makes surprise LIV Golf remark after Pebble Beach win for 27th PGA Tour title

By
Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy has conceded he may have been tempted as a young golfer to sign up for LIV Golf if the Saudi-backed tour was in place back in 2007.

The Northern Irishman recorded his 27th win on the PGA Tour at the weekend, moving him ahead of Henry Picard to 22nd on the all-time list.

At 35 years of age, McIlroy remains one of the biggest talents in all of golf and is likely to add plenty more titles to his CV.

Rory McIlroy won at Pebble Beach this weekend

READ: Tiger Woods comment speaks volumes as Rory McIlroy makes Scottie Scheffler claim

His chances in recent years have been helped even further by the exodus of top talents on the PGA Tour to LIV Golf.

Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka have all jumped ship to receive huge sums of money from LIV.

But the breakaway league has not only been targeting established elite pros as they’ve also been snapping up some of the game’s best young talents.

Tom McKibbin, dubbed the ‘next McIlroy’, has turned his back on the traditional route to the PGA by signing up for LIV.

McIlroy has admitted he too would have struggled to turn down the financial rewards of joining LIV as a young golfer.

However, the four-time major champion still believes the legacy and history of the PGA Tour trumps everything else.

“I’m so glad that LIV wasn’t around when I was that age,” McIlroy said.

“Because to me, all I want to do was get into the top 50 in the world, play the majors, like, try to become one of the best players in the world.

“I didn’t care how much money I had at that point, and I was just getting starts on the PGA Tour and the European tour, and that was enough for me.”

LIV Golf events have still not been granted world ranking points, meaning players must meet the criteria elsewhere to qualify for the majors.

The bigger names such as Rahm, DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson and Koepka have certain exemptions due to their previous successes at majors.

Reaching the top 50 in the world rankings is the main way non-major winners can qualify for major championships.

McKibbin will now face a more difficult task in doing that, meaning he will have to play in a number of DP World Tour events to jump up the rankings.

McIlroy admitted he tried to push his prodigy in a different direction due to what the 22-year-old would be giving up by snubbing the PGA Tour.

“I think he’s got a ton of potential,” McIlroy said.

“I said to him, if I were in your shoes, I would make a different choice than the one you’re thinking of making.

“Working so hard to get your tour card in the States, something that he did, to achieve that goal last year was a big achievement.

“I think what he potentially is sacrificing and giving up with access to majors, potential Ryder Cup spot, if I were in his position and I had his potential, which I think I have been before, I wouldn’t make that decision.”

Keep Reading
By
GOLF

‘Such a Shame’: Golf Community Livid at Jay Monahan for Shattering 77-Year-Old Tradition

By
Jay Monahan PGA Tour

Jay Monahan & the PGA Tour officials have been experimenting a lot with the league lately.

Facing tough competition from LIV Golf and the DP World Tour, the PGA Tour has taken drastic steps to ensure they are offering an exciting product to the fans. However, their judgment about the demands of the masses has often faltered as the community has constantly criticized every change they have introduced.

The new policy proposed for 2026 to improve the pace of play received much backlash. Fans are not pleased with the PGA Tour limiting the field size to improve the pace of play. Instead, they have suggested that slow players should be penalized for going over the clock. More recently, it seemed that Jay Monahan and his team had finally learned from the feedback. Reports suggest that they were considering using rangefinders to improve the pace of play were well received. But it seems that it didn’t take them to get back to their old ways and upset the community again.

PGA Tour says commissioner Jay Monahan is recuperating from a medical situation | CNN

READ: Rory McIlroy Exposes Tiger Woods’ Weakness in Playful Jab at TGL

As Monday Q Info shared on its X account, the PGA Tour has changed a major aspect to provide better opportunities to amateur golfers. The tweet included an image with the text, “The WM Phoenix Qualifier will be held on Monday, February 3. This will be the FINAL for the WM Phoenix Open. The PGA Tour will be ending Open Qualifying starting in 2026”. This confirms that there won’t be any pre-tournament qualifiers for the PGA Tour from 2026.

Speaking about the tradition of the qualifiers, the post also said, “Open Qualifying has been a tradition for the Phoenix Open since 1948.” This means that the WM Phoenix Open Qualifiers will be discontinued after 77 years.

The drastic change in the tradition has further fueled the frustration of the fans. Let’s see what they had to say.

With another decades-old practice set to be discontinued in 2026, fans were bound to show their displeasure towards it. One of the fans stated their frustrations towards Jay Monahan & co. as they said “@PGATOUR Shame on the Tour!!!!!” They seem to suggest that the PGA Tour should be embarrassed to break the tradition. Another commented “Is this about “history” or “tradition?” Ask Jay when you see him.” They seem to question Jay Monahan’s intent behind taking such a drastic step.

A follower also stated, “It’s such a shame. What a shortsighted move by the PGAT.” They believe that the Tour will regret their decision in the future. The board replacing Jay Monahan & co. might face issues of not having a circulation of good players if they make this permanent. Another Tweet said, “So dumb. The ridiculous decisions continue. SMH”. They seem infuriated with the frequent bad changes implemented by the PGA Tour.

Then there was one user who shared, “The @pgatour is intent on self destruction as a spectator sport. Interest is already waning. @PGATOURComms”. Their frame of thought is quite accurate considering the major drop in viewership the Tour has experienced recently. If the wayward decision-making and bad play continue, the PGA Tour will lose its value in professional golf.

Keep Reading
By
GOLF

Jay Monahan’s PGA Tour in Trouble Again as Mysterious WDs Threatens to Ruin $9 Million Event

By
Jay Monahan PGA Tour

Fans were expecting top players to participate with high hopes for the next PGA Tour event, i.e., the Farmers Insurance Open.

However, there has been a shock wave that spread after the news of Xander Schauffele withdrawing from the event. The news came in on January 18th, 2025, a few days before the event where his team cited a medical issue as the reason for withdrawing. It was a huge shock as the World No. 2 has been featured at the event for the last 9 years.

But what’s more shocking for the PGA Tour’s fourth calendar event is the addition to the withdrawal list. The 156 players list, a day after the news of Schauffele, saw more players withdrawing from the tournament.

PGA Tour LIV Golf merge: Jay Monahan, golf's largest hypocrite, backstabs players - SBNation.com

JUST IN: Paige Spiranac Enjoys the Confusing “TikTok Drama” as U.S. Ban Could Have Nearly Cost Her a $100,000

As per the post shared by PGA Tour Communication on X, it reshaped the list of players, while writing the names of players missing out and joining in as replacements. The list included the 2024 edition runner-up who missed the title with a stroke difference to Matthieu Pavon, i.e., Nicolai Hojgaard was among the top picks for fans based on his previous year’s performance.

Apart from him, Collin Morikawa, who failed to qualify last year at the Farmers Insurance Open, started strongly to change it. He was runner-up at his first appearance of the season, which was the Sentry 2025. However, unfortunately, this year too he will not be in the top rankers. The three-name list of players withdrawing also had Tyler McCumber, who was struggling with injuries and was away from the course for the last 2 years. He participated in two events in 2024, out of which he missed a cut in one and withdrew from one.

Now to make up the full-field event, Hayden Springer is coming in as a replacement for Nicolai Hojgaard. Hayden recorded a T33 finish last year while having 4 top 10s in the entire season. Along with him, Wesley Bryan, and S.H. Kim will be joining in as replacements at the Torrey Pines Golf Course. Even though some of the top names have withdrawn, there is still a great list of players whom fans should not miss teeing off live.

Besides the long list of players, there are some promising names that fans would be delighted to see. At the top, is the Sentry winner with the lowest recorded total, Hideki Matsuyama. The record-breaking start of the year for the golfer is expected to continue and fans are eager to see him break more records.

Along with the recent champion, Ludvig Aberg will also be contesting at the event. He has been among the favorites with his consistent performance. Last year he had 3 runner-up finishes and 6 top 10s, additionally. Even the first event of this season saw him deliver a great performance with which he recorded a T5 finish. Further on the list of players, two 6-time PGA Tour title winners Max Homa and Tony Finau are also part of the roster.

Even though some top names have withdrawn, there are still many prominent names that might get a record added under their name this season.

Keep Reading
By
GOLF

A Journey Inside Tiger Woods’ competitive genius

By
Tiger Woods Back Surgeries

The encouraging practice session presents a familiar golfer pitfall.

You know how it goes: hit it solidly on the range, march to the first tee brimming with confidence, then wonder why it all unravels on the course. I’ve written about this dynamic before, mostly because I’ve lived it.

The inverse scenario can be found in a story recently shared by the former PGA Tour player-turned-Golf Channel announcer Tripp Isenhour watching Tiger Woods on the range after a round at Torrey Pines in the mid-2000s. As Isenhour recounted, Woods struggled so much with his driver that day he put it away and started hitting an assortment of shots with a 6-iron: first way up in the air, then curving 40 yards in either direction, then some low bullets barely off the ground. When Isenhour asked why, Woods responded, “If this is where I am going to be tomorrow then I might need these shots.”

It was vintage Woods thinking two moves ahead. “That’s the reason why I’m a freaking announcer now and not playing the Champions Tour,” Isenhour, who is also the founder of TournamentMindset.com, elaborated by phone. “Because when that happened to me, my thought was, ‘Damn it, I gotta fix my swing.’ ”

U.S. Open - Preview Day 2

READ: PGA Tour forced to move Tiger Woods’ Genesis Invitational due to LA wildfires

By contrast, Woods showcased a mindset the clinical and sports psychologist Bhrett McCabe and I have been studying in recent months, including in a cover story we wrote for Golf Digest’s April issue after McCabe’s client Nick Dunlap became the first amateur in 33 years to win a PGA Tour event. The disconnect between the range and the course, for example, stems from a misconception that competition hinges on technical proficiency. I better be hitting it OK, we think, otherwise I’m screwed. But as Woods and Dunlap have shown, the real key is accessing what you can and compartmentalizing the rest.

This “Competitive IQ,” as we call it, can be found in a wide range of high performers in golf and beyond, rooted in three core principles: awareness, acceptance, and adaptability. More than just being “clutch,” the trait reflects an understanding of where practice ends and competition begins, and how to prepare accordingly.

“The Tiger story illustrates his ultimate superpower, which was he was always willing to look not at what he had as a definition of his ability to compete that day, but what he could do with what he had,” McCabe says. “He was able to compete and use his higher-level skills to compete against others who were often stuck in what we call the ‘competition paradox.’ When stress intensified, they reverted back to trying to control their mechanics and he didn’t. That’s what made Tiger great.”

With Woods at Torrey Pines, for instance, awareness was recognizing he didn’t have full command of his swing and needed to approach the final round differently. When he stuffed his driver back in the bag, that was acceptance; frustrated as he was with the club he decided this wasn’t the time to try to fix it. “That was a time where I saw someone say, forgive my language, ‘F– it. I’m not going to hit the ball that straight tomorrow, so I’m going to have to beat you from where I’m going to be,’” Isenhour said. Woods’ willingness to test a series of recovery shots that he’d likely need if he was spraying the ball off the tee was the same adaptability he had displayed throughout his career. Don’t forget this is the same golfer who won the ‘97 Masters by 12 shots, then decided to rebuild his swing once he determined he needed it to hold up better under pressure.

It’s telling that even the most talented golfer in history recognized where his talent had limits. Those of us who fail to sense how competition is different, meanwhile, often spin our wheels trying to find something temporarily out of reach, which exacerbates the problem. Why? Because Competitive IQ also factors in our hardwiring, and how it shapes our response to different situations. The responses themselves are rarely the problem. The problem is when we spend precious energy railing against elements outside our control.

 “Stress isn’t negative or positive. It’s just a demand upon the body,” McCabe says. “If we choose to believe it as a sign of weaknesses, we will spend our time trying to fix our mechanisms. If we look at it as a situation that we must respond to, we will then change our mindset to be in the moment.”

Keep Reading
By
GOLF

PGA Tour forced to move Tiger Woods’ Genesis Invitational due to LA wildfires

By
Tiger Woods Genesis Invitational

Due to the devastating wildfires tearing through Los Angeles, the PGA Tour has had to shuffle The Genesis Invitational from its usual spot at the Riviera Country Club.

The prestigious tournament, typically held at the Riviera, found itself in jeopardy as terrifying fires overwhelmed LA, destroying entire neighbourhoods along with countless businesses and homes, and, tragically, 25 lives have been lost to the flames that continue to rage on.

Just last week, it was revealed that the Genesis might not go ahead since the host venue is in the middle of an evacuation area. Despite being unscathed so far, the club was cleared out and remains unused.

Firefighters are still battling the inferno, and as a result, the PGA Tour confirmed this Thursday that shifting the venue was the only practical decision. However, the dates remain fixed, and a top-notch line-up is expected, including world-renowned players Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg, and Collin Morikawa.

READ: Tiger Woods hilariously mocked by his son Charlie after comical error during TGL debut

In their announcement, the PGA Tour emphasised: “The PGA TOUR’s focus continues to be on the safety and well-being of those affected by the unprecedented natural disaster in Greater Los Angeles.

“We are grateful for the life-saving efforts of first responders and the tireless work being done to put an end to the tragic wildfires.”

“In collaboration with Genesis, The Riviera Country Club and TGR Live, and out of respect for the unfolding situation, we have determined that The Genesis Invitational 2025 will be played at an alternate location the week of Feb. 10-16. A venue update and additional tournament information will be provided in the coming days.

“The PGA TOUR is identifying the most impactful ways the tournament can support the Los Angeles community and the ongoing relief efforts. We encourage fans to join the support at PGATOUR.com/SupportLA.”

Speaking at his TGL debut this week, Woods expressed his sadness at the current situation in Los Angeles. Speaking before the announcement to move the tournament was made, Woods said: “It’s just sad. Max [Homa] and I have grown up there. We’re So Cal kids.”

“To see what has happened, I’ve known a couple people that have lost everything, so it’s just hard. As far as the Genesis, we’re trying to just figure everything out and make sure that everyone is safe and we have meetings scheduled going forward.

“But as of right now, we’re not really focused on the tournament. It’s more about what we can do to help everyone who’s struggling, who’s lost homes and had their lives changed.”

Keep Reading
By
GOLF

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy rub salt into Greg Norman’s wounds with LIV Golf olive branch

By
Tiger Woods Rory McIlroy Greg Norman

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy launched a new golf and reached out to Greg Norman’s successor at LIV Golf.

Norman was head of the breakaway league when it first launched in 2022. Despite LIV and the PGA Tour agreeing on the framework for a merger in June 2023, Woods and McIlroy have remained at loggerheads with the two-time major winner.

On Tuesday, Woods and McIlroy attended the inaugural Tomorrow’s Golf League match, launched by their company TMRW Sports. Blending virtual golf and matchplay, the indoor team event is a major shakeup in the golfing world—and an invite was extended to a LIV Golf executive.

Big Blow to Greg Norman's Pride as Tiger Woods Endorses New LIV Golf CEO With Warm TGL Welcome - EssentiallySports

READ: Tiger Woods confirms plan for TGL debut as young phenom is forced to wait

The Sports Business Journal reported that Scott O’Neil, who is widely expected to replace Norman as LIV CEO, was spotted at the SoFi Center for the debut of TGL. There was no mention of O’Neil being accompanied by Norman. It has been reported that the 69-year-old will be moved into a different role by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

In 2022, Woods turned down a reported $800m offer from LIV to leave the PGA Tour. That December, at the height of golf’s fractious rivalry, Woods felt there was no hope of a merger because Norman was in charge. “Not right now, not with their leadership, not with Greg there and his animosity towards the tour itself. I don’t see that happening,” Woods said.

“As Rory said, I think Greg’s got to leave and then we can eventually, hopefully, have a stay between the two lawsuits and figure something out. But why would you change anything if you’ve got a lawsuit against you?

“They sued us first. I see that there’s an opportunity out there if both organisations put a stay on their litigation but that’s the problem, they’ve got to put a stay on it. I think it has to start with leadership on their side.”

While Woods is part of the PAC working on the merger between the PGA and LIV, McIlroy has also spent time with PIF officials. Having previously advised Norman to “exit stage left”, the Northern Irishman believed a deal would be easier to strike without Norman’s involvement.

“I think I’ve said this before, I have spent time with [PIF chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan] and the people that have represented him in LIV I think have done him a disservice, so [Greg] Norman and those guys,” McIlroy explained last year.

“I actually think there’s a really big disconnect between PIF and LIV. I think you got PIF over here and LIV are sort of over here doing their own thing. So the closer that we can get to Yasir, PIF and hopefully finalise that investment, I think that will be a really good thing.”

The launch of TGL had been delayed by a year before The Bay Golf Club scored a 9-2 win over the New York Golf Club on Tuesday. TGL is comprised of six four-man teams, with each 15-hole match split between triples and singles matchplay. Having been organized in with the PGA, TGL will be played on weekdays and is next in action on January 14.

Keep Reading
By
GOLF

Tiger Woods in the middle of controversy after paid actors were in “attendance” for TGL

By
Tiger Woods Rory McIlroy TGL

As it prepares for a takeover of golf, recent revelations about the use of paid actors in the Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) sparked a wave of speculation and debate within the sports community.

However, TGL officials have firmly clarified the matter.

The company formed by sports executive Mike McCarley and professional golfers Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in partnership with the PGA Tour, has assured fans and critics alike that these actors are part of a specific operational strategy, not a regular feature of live events.

READ: Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods golf league earns mixed reviews following launch

The clarification serves to reassure fans who are eagerly awaiting this new chapter in golf. With a focus on innovation, the league promises to deliver excitement and accessibility to a broader audience, all while maintaining the core values of the sport.

The upcoming events are set to be a showcase of not just athletic prowess, but also the seamless integration of entertainment, technology, and fan engagement. The decision to use actors in preliminary stages is seen as a strategic move to ensure a flawless execution when the curtains rise on live broadcasts.

The innovative golf league aims to revolutionize the sport by blending traditional elements with modern entertainment. As part of their preparations, TGL has employed paid actors during dress rehearsals and for additional filmed content. This approach is akin to the use of seat fillers at high-profile award shows, ensuring a visually appealing and engaging presentation for viewers.

During the initial rollout, rumors surfaced suggesting that actors might be present at actual live events, potentially diminishing the authenticity of the audience experience. TGL responded swiftly, emphasizing that actors are used solely in controlled environments to fine-tune logistics and create supplementary content.

While the initial use of paid actors may have raised eyebrows, TGL’s transparency looks to be transforming golf for a new era. As the league moves forward, fans can look forward to witnessing a new experience of live golf, untainted by the presence of scripted participants.

Keep Reading
By
GOLF

Best is yet to come for Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, as TGL gets huge TV ratings boost

By
Tiger Woods Rory McIlroy TGL

The opening night of TGL – the tech-infused golf league created by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy – was greeted by impressive TV viewing figures, without either man playing in the inaugural match.

TGL debuted on ESPN on Tuesday with The Bay – comprised of Wyndham Clark, Shane Lowry and Ludvig Aberg – defeating the New York team of Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler and Matt Fitzpatrick in a one-sided match.

The launch of the league created plenty of intrigue, with some of the PGA Tour’s top stars playing fantasy golf holes – including one set on an active volcano – by hitting into a massive simulator screen before moving to a dynamic short-game area with a green that rotates and changes typography for each new virtual creation – all in front of a 1,500 crowd at the bespoke SoFi Center arena in Florida.

Tiger Woods Rory McIlroy

READ: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy add insult to injury for Greg Norman at TGL launch

And viewers responded in their droves, with an average audience of 919,000 across the two-hour broadcast, with a peak of 1.1 million viewers as the players hit their first shots. Most encouragingly for TGL, which is aiming to attract younger audiences, the opening match proved to be a hit with its target demographic.

The “Worldwide Leader” reported that TGL’s opener averaged 402,270 viewers aged 18-49, accounting for 44 per cent of the viewership – a much greater proportion than a typical PGA Tour event.

The broadcast was a success in attracting younger male viewers in particular, with 77 per cent of viewers from the 18-49 bracket being male, compared to 67 per cent for the final round of The Sentry in Hawaii on Sunday.

And better numbers likely await on the horizon. Despite injuries suffered both on and off the golf course dramatically reducing Woods’ playing schedule in recent years, he remains golf’s great needle mover – evidenced by the 15-time major champion ranking top of the PGA Tour’s Player Impact Program bonus scheme for $10 million despite playing only five events in 2024.

Woods will make his TGL debut next week when his Jupiter Links Golf Club play Los Angeles, and although seeing the 49-year-old play simulator golf will not compare to the memories of him charging through the field on a Sunday, the chance to see him tee it up is sure to be appealing to both golf purists and casual fans.

And a week later, TGL will stage its headline attraction when Woods and his crew take on McIlroy’s Boston Common in primetime – without anything in the way of competition from the NFL or the College Football Playoff.

Keep Reading
By
Verified by MonsterInsights