TGL’s opening round was a bang and even that feels like an understatement. I mean everything was just perfection, they delivered what they promised — excitement, competition, and more excitement. And don’t even get me started on Ludvig Aberg’s charm throughout the night. However, there were many big names that were not present, and well, many believe they might be regretting their decision and you know why.
In the latest episode of The Smylie Kaufman Show on YouTube, an interesting discussion emerged about the golfers who aren’t part of Tiger Woods’s TGL. Specifically, the number one player in the world, Scottie Scheffler, was highlighted as someone who’s missing out on a huge opportunity. “Let’s talk about the guys who aren’t on a TGL team,” Kaufman noted. By not joining TGL, Scheffler is essentially passing up a chance to further cement his legacy and grow his fan base. “Scotty, um, obviously decided not to play and not be on a team,” the insider pointed out.
“I think that there are probably a lot of guys who watched the first three holes tonight and were like, ‘Dang, I missed out”, he continued. According to the show’s insiders, Scheffler’s absence from TGL is a significant miss, not just for the exposure but also because of his incredibly likable personality. “So many people speak so highly of you, talking about how much fun you are… in the team room or in the locker room,” Kaufman said. As the number one player in the world, Scheffler is already well-respected, but being part of TGL would have given him a platform to rise more, and well it really was a surprise considering his competitive personality. “It’s like, okay, some guys might draw a bigger audience now for having some TGL exposure,” said Kaufman.
But here’s the thing, as surprising as Scheffler’s decision was to opt out from TGL, he wasn’t the only one to do so.
Scottie Scheffler isn’t the only big name who was missing from the TGL lineup. Several other notable golfers have opted out of the competition, each with their own reasons. Viktor Hovland, for instance, has turned down the TGL opportunity despite residing in Florida. Jordan Spieth, another highly entertaining golfer, has also declined the chance to compete, likely due to his roots in Dallas. Tony Finau, who has been linked to LIV in the past, has chosen to prioritize his family commitments in Arizona. Jason Day, a former world No. 1, is focusing on family time in Ohio, and Robert MacIntyre will split his time between Orlando and Scotland.
The list of absentees doesn’t stop there. Even the 2023 Open champion, Brian Harman, wasn’t seen teeing off in the TGL arena. It’s interesting to note that some of these golfers, like MacIntyre, might have been a great fit for the TGL concept, given their recent performances. Nonetheless, their absence will undoubtedly be felt in the competition. Fans will have to wait and see how the TGL lineup shapes up without these big names, but one thing’s for sure, it’ll be a different tournament without them.
