Sports
Tiger Woods Debuts in Tech-Driven TGL Golf League
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Tiger Woods made his debut in the tech-infused TGL golf league Tuesday night, leading his Jupiter Links GC team against the Los Angeles Golf Club in a groundbreaking match that combined simulator technology with real-world golfing action. The event, held at the SoFi Center, marked the culmination of years of planning and innovation by TMRW Sports, co-founded by Woods and Rory McIlroy.
The TGL, short for Tomorrow’s Golf League, aims to revolutionize golf by blending cutting-edge technology with team-based competition. Players hit drives into a massive simulator screen before transitioning to a real green for shots within 50 yards of the hole. The league features a shot clock, timeouts, and a mix of team and individual match play, creating a fast-paced, prime-time-friendly format.
Woods, 49, teamed up with Max Homa, Kevin Kisner, and Tom Kim for Jupiter Links GC, while the Los Angeles Golf Club featured Collin Morikawa, Justin Rose, Sahith Theegala, and Tommy Fleetwood. The match was broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN+, drawing significant attention from golf fans and tech enthusiasts alike.
The TGL’s unique format was the brainchild of TMRW Sports CEO Mike McCarley, who spent over two decades at NBC Sports. McCarley envisioned a team-based golf league that could thrive in prime time, inspired by the drama of events like the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup. “The team nature of it and the prime-time piece of it intensifies the drama,” McCarley said.
Development of the league faced challenges, including a delay caused by structural damage to the original stadium roof in November 2023. However, the setback allowed for further refinement of the technology and format. “The first time I heard the words ‘blessing in disguise’ was from Tiger Woods,” McCarley said. “The delay allowed us to do a lot of things that may have had to wait until Season 2.”
The TGL’s state-of-the-art facility features the world’s largest golf simulator screen, measuring 60 feet by 30 feet, and a synthetic green that mimics the behavior of natural grass. The league also incorporates historical Shotlink data from the PGA Tour to ensure accuracy and realism in the virtual environment.
With Woods’ participation and the league’s innovative approach, TGL aims to attract a new generation of golf fans. “It’s hard to believe that that dream became reality and we were able to take golf into another stratosphere,” Woods said during the match.
The league’s inaugural season will run through March, with six teams competing for the SoFi Cup. Future plans include potential expansions, such as a virtual golf league involving LPGA players and collaborations between PGA Tour and LIV Golf competitors if the sport’s divisions are resolved.