Tiger Woods’ Jupiter Links GC and Rory McIlroy’s Boston Common Golf have been eliminated from the TGL after failing to reach the play-offs.

Boston needed to beat New York on Monday night to secure a play-off spot but lost 10-6, with Cameron Young, Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele scoring five points from the last four holes for the victors.

Schauffele ‘threw the hammer’ – which increases the point total of the hole from one points to two – at the 12th and made a birdie to beat Adam Scott.

Cameron Young then saw off McIlroy, which meant Boston required two more points in the final hole to force overtime.

Boston ‘threw the hammer’ but Schauffele chipped in from seven feet to seal a four-the win.

The result also ended Jupiter Links GC’s hopes of reaching the play-offs, as New York sealed their place alongside Los Angeles Golf Club, The Bay Golf Club and Atlanta Drive GC.

Los Angeles Golf Club, who top the SoFi Cup standings, will face fourth-placed New York in the semi-finals with the Bay Golf Club facing Atlanta Drive GC in matches held across 17-18 March.

Golf fans are still getting used to TGL and all its quirks.

The indoor simulator league, created by Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods with the help of golf executive Mike McCarley, has split opinion since its launch in January.

Besides the overarching debate around professional golf being played into a giant screen, one point of contention has been the project’s flagship rule: the Hammer.

Like most elements of TGL, the Hammer is designed to create maximum entertainment value – but on the first five nights, it did the complete opposite.

So officials have changed the rule mid-season.

Here’s how it previously worked: both teams shared one Hammer in the form of an orange cloth.

The team in possession of the Hammer could throw it at any point on any given hole.

If accepted by the other team, that hole was then worth two points instead of one.

If rejected, the team making that decision would automatically forfeit the hole and lose one point.

In both instances, the Hammer would then change hands, starting from the next hole.

But curiously, the Hammer went unused in two of the opening five weeks, and TGL struggled with a run of one-sided affairs.

Teams had already found a loophole which became known as ‘Hammer hoarding’.

It quickly became apparent that if the team with the Hammer had a comfortable lead, there was no incentive to use it.

The reward of double points on a favourable hole was not worth losing possession of the Hammer – which the opposing team could then use to catch up.

It also presented the risk of conceding double points after throwing the Hammer – and the jeopardy never really made sense for a team with a comfortable lead.

Officials announced a new version of the Hammer rule last week.

Now, each team will get three Hammers, which can be used at any point in the match.

The idea is that both sides will have access to the Hammer when they need it most – and they can develop their own strategies and tactics, rather than relying on other teams’ decisions.

Andrew Macaulay, TGL Chief Technical Officer, said: “With the change of possession if the leading team threw it, they’d make the hole worth two points, but then the trailing team had possession of the Hammer.

“It’s why in two out of our five matches, not a single Hammer was thrown in it.”

Macaulay added: “It’s like timeouts. Each team has three. There’s strategy to when you use them. When you used all three, you don’t have any left, you’re done.

“The Hammer is a hot topic, and it’s been an awesome thing. Fans want to see teams throw the Hammer, and we think this change will help increase fan excitement.”

This decision immediately paid off on Monday night as TGL hosted a historic triple-header with the following results…

• The Bay Golf Club 5-4 Boston Common Golf
• Atlanta Drive GC 6-5 Los Angeles Golf Club (after overtime)
• Atlanta Drive GC 5-6 The Bay Golf Club

Speaking afterwards, Patrick Cantlay of Atlanta Drive GC said: “I think we had two matches that were really close, which is probably exactly what they wanted with the Hammer change. The new Hammer rules really do change it.

“There’s a lot more decisions to be made out there. I think we made a lot of good ones today, hit some good shots. We had a good day, just came up a little short in that second match.”

What is TGL?

Simply put, TGL is an indoor simulator golf league featuring the game’s top players.

It takes place at a super high-tech arena called the SoFi Centre in Florida with a live crowd of around 1,500 people.

Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods were the ones who came up with it, with the help of a guy called Mike McCarley, as part of their TMWR Sports venture.

It’s got a bunch of big-name investors, like Serena Williams, Lewis Hamilton, and Fenway Sports Group – who own Liverpool. ESPN and Sky Sports signed up to broadcast it.

How do they compete?

There’s six teams of four, all franchises based on US cities, and all featuring top PGA Tour players. No LIV Golfers.

There is one head-to-head match each week lasting just two hours for a primetime TV slot in the States.

There is also a 40-second shot clock and timeouts and referees to enforce the rules. All of the players are mic’d up to ensure maximum entertainment value.

How does it work?

For shots longer than 50 yards, players hit into this enormous screen, which is 53 foot tall and 64 foot wide.

That’s about 24 times the size of your normal golf simulator. They play off real grass, the rough and the fairways are reflected on the surface, and it even moves to reflect the slope.

The green complex has 600 motorised sensors underneath it and 360 degree rotation to simulate the exact real life scenario facing the players.

The bunkers have the same sand as Augusta National, and they’ve even thought about the direction of the grain around the greens.

Format

Each team picks three players, they play 15 holes. The first nine holes are ‘Trebles’ – three-on-three matchplay, with each player taking turns to hit the shots.

The final six holes are ‘Singles’ – one-on-one matchplay with each player playing 2 holes.

If it’s all square after 15, they go to overtime and play closest to the pin.

Teams get two points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime win, one point for an overtime loss, and zero points for a regulation loss.

There will be Play-Offs in March with semi-finals and a final to determine the league’s overall winner – with a $21million purse to be divided among players.

Teams

Atlanta Drive GC
• Patrick Cantlay
• Lucas Glover
• Billy Horschel
• Justin Thomas

Boston Common Golf
• Keegan Bradley
• Hideki Matsuyama
• Rory McIlroy
• Adam Scott

The Bay Golf Club
• Ludvig Aberg
• Wyndham Clark
• Shane Lowry
• Min Woo Lee

Jupiter Links Golf Club
• Max Homa
• Tom Kim
• Kevin Kisner
• Tiger Woods

Los Angeles Golf Club
• Tommy Fleetwood
• Collin Morikawa
• Justin Rose
• Sahith Theegala

New York Golf Club
• Matt Fitzpatrick
• Rickie Fowler
• Xander Schauffele
• Cameron Young

Turns out that having Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy on your broadcast does good things for TV ratings. Who knew?

TGL’s fourth week featured a series of firsts for the new tech-infused indoor golf league: both Woods and McIlroy head-to-head in a competitive match. Woods’ Jupiter Links Golf Club defeated McIlroy’s Boston Common Golf Club in overtime, a match that was in doubt right on through and over its allotted two-hour run time.

TGL which is the highly anticipated golf league co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy has been receiving its fair share of hate and criticism from golf enthusiasts and viewers. Despite its promising concept, which combines virtual golf with live competition, TGL has failed to impress many with some even calling it a disappointment. The lack of competitiveness in matches, with some teams dominating others by wide margins, has been a major turn-off for viewers. Furthermore, the virtual golf format which was meant to be a unique selling point has been panned by some for being too gimmicky and lacking the authenticity of traditional golf.

Recently, The Drop Zone crew weighed in on TGL’s shortcomings and highlighted four major areas where the league could use some improvement. So, let’s see what they are, shall we?

1. Kevin Kisner not suited for TGL

As the host of the Drop Zone podcast put it, Kevin Kisner’s performance in TGL has been underwhelming, to say the least. “Kevin Kisner not suited for a Bomber’s league,” he bluntly stated. “He was throwing up ball speeds in like the high one 50s, which is is just not, you know, when you’ve got to carry the carry the water on the spear or whatever that hole is, that’s not going to get it done.”

As the host elaborated, Kisner’s struggles are a concern for TGL, which demands big hits and high-energy gameplay. Kisner’s lowball speeds and inconsistent performance have made it difficult for him to compete, and his team has suffered as a result. Despite this, there was one moment that had everyone in stitches. During his match, Kisner attempted to get out of a sandtrap but ended up skulling the ball, which whacked the flagpost on its way out. The shock of the mistake and the noise it made caused everyone on the playing field to burst out laughing. Even Kisner himself couldn’t help but crack a joke, saying “All I gotta say is I got it out of the bunker, unlike my partner.” It was a lighthearted moment that showed even in the midst of a tough match, golfers can still have a sense of humor.

Lack of Competitive matches for 2 consecutive weeks

The initial excitement and entertainment of TGL’s first round have given way to concerns about the league’s competitiveness. As the host noted, “Just the lack of competitive matches two weeks in, hopefully this is just a blip and it’s just, you know, two unlucky things combined with again, Kisner and, you know, maybe Tiger.” This lack of competitiveness was evident in the first round, with one team dominating the other, and the commentator pointed out that “His team was just not competitive, which brings me to my second issue.”

Furthermore, critics like Frankie Borrelli have argued that the format of TGL, with its emphasis on music, fake cheering, and booing, detracts from the competitive aspect of the game, making it feel more like a game show than a serious golf tournament. Borrelli suggested that the league needs to make the shots feel more meaningful, allowing the natural reactions of the crowd to shine through, rather than relying on manufactured noise and excitement. He believes that this would help to create a more authentic and competitive atmosphere, one that is more in line with traditional golf tournaments.

3. The simulator not working accurately

The second week of the TGL has been marred by technical issues, particularly with the simulator, which has left players and commentators questioning its accuracy. “The simulator, is the tech reliable enough? Is it accurately picking up spin rates on short shots?” one commentator wondered. Another issue arose when Tiger Woods hit a 100-yard wedge shot that sailed over 130 yards, prompting concerns about the simulator’s accuracy, especially with a “forward T that seemed like a potentially problematic” shot. The technical glitches have raised concerns about the league’s ability to deliver a fair and accurate competition. As Ron Green Jr. of GLOBAL GOLF POST noted, the league’s success will depend on its ability to make the game fun and engaging, but technical issues like these can’t be ignored.

4. Pros withdrawing from PGA Tour events

There’s a growing concern in the golf world as top players continue to withdraw from tournaments at an alarming rate. “Guys, finally challenge #4 is this odd thing where we’re starting to see guys withdraw from tournaments,” one observer noted. Xander Schauffele, for instance, played in an ATGL event and then withdrew from a couple of PGA Tour events, while Collin Morikawa pulled out of the Farmers Insurance Open. As one commentator put it, “I’m not saying these guys are injured because they were in the TGL. Just think that the schedule now comes pretty fast and furious.” However, it’s now been revealed that the reason behind these withdrawals isn’t fatigue or injury, but rather a change of venue for the Genesis Invitational. So, what are your thoughts on the problems faced by TGL? Let us know in the comment section below!

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s long-anticipated indoor golf league, TGL, made its electrifying debut Tuesday night with a fast-paced 15-hole match that lived up to the hype.

The opening round saw Rickie Fowler, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Xander Schauffele from the New York Golf Club face off against Shane Lowry, Wyndham Clark, and Ludvig Aberg from The Bay Golf Club.

It took just under two hours to complete, exactly as envisioned, with The Bay emerging victorious, 9-2.

Aberg made history by recording the first birdie in TGL history, and Lowry, never one to shy away from a bit of banter, couldn’t resist teasing Clark. “The last time I had that much fun was probably last September,” he quipped, referring to the European Ryder Cup win over the U.S. team, which included Clark.

Trash talk was a running theme throughout the match. As Lowry said, “Look, I had an amazing two hours.” And with the speed of the event, it was clear: TGL was built to be fast, fun, and full of energy.

The first shot was struck at 9:15 p.m., and just four minutes later, Aberg sank a 9-footer for the opening point. The action was swift, the stakes high, and the atmosphere electric.

“This was just a dream conjured up,” Woods reflected on the ESPN broadcast. “Rory and I talked about it, and it’s hard to believe we’ve taken golf to another stratosphere.”

Woods and McIlroy, along with DJ Khaled, who was seen interacting with players and even demonstrating his swing, were present to witness the debut.

The venue, a 250,000-square-foot facility at Palm Beach State College, featured high-tech innovations, including sand from Augusta National in the bunkers and a data-driven system tracking every shot.

“It’s like a glorified man cave,” said Fowler, capturing the essence of the experience. With microphones on the players, fans surrounding the course, and music blaring throughout, it was a spectacle in every sense.

The short-game complex was especially intriguing, with its 41-yard-wide turntable green and over 600 devices beneath it to alter the contours.

Players found it tricky to make putts on this dynamic surface, adding to the challenge and excitement.

There was no shortage of laughs. Lowry delivered a series of one-liners, like calling himself “the Scottie Scheffler of indoor golf” and jokingly describing his shot as “a bit chunky.”

Schauffele, however, wasn’t immune to the occasional booing, which followed a misplayed chip shot. “I probably would have booed me too,” he remarked.

The match ended with a 729-yard par-5 that was more reachable than it sounds, followed by handshakes and cheers all around. Lowry gave a hearty wave to the crowd, marking a successful debut.

“I had so much fun,” said Aberg, capturing the sentiment of everyone involved. Even Woods couldn’t hide his excitement when fans cheered as Clark prepared to line up a putt. “You don’t normally hear that at events,” Woods said. “You’re going to hear that here.”

Looking ahead, Woods will take the stage for his Jupiter Links club on January 14, with McIlroy’s debut potentially coming on January 27 when Boston Common faces Jupiter Links. The regular season will run until March 4, with 24 players across six teams. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs, culminating in a best-of-three championship series just before the Masters.

While TGL may not be traditional golf, Woods emphasized, “It is golf, and that’s the main thing.” As Fowler pointed out, the real test will be how it’s received by television audiences. “If it does well there, the sky’s the limit,” he said. “This is just the start.”

Tiger Woods makes TGL debut Tuesday: Teams, schedule, results from new golf league

Golf’s newest venture, TGL, is here and has brought the thrills expected from the futuristic league spearheaded by golfing legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

TGL debuted Tuesday in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with The Bay Golf Club, made up of Shawn Lowry, Wyndham Clark, and Ludvig Åberg, securing the league’s first victory. They defeated the New York Golf Club of Rickie Fowler, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Xander Schauffele, with a score of 9-2.

TGL is played at the state-of-the-art SoFi Center at Palm Beach State College, which spans 250,000 square feet. The facility includes video screens, real grass and bunkers filled with sand from Augusta National Golf Club. Fans have the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with PGA Tour professionals, who wear microphones during play and offer unique insights into their strategies and emotions.

During the ESPN broadcast, Woods shared, “This was just a dream we conjured up. Rory and I were discussing it, and it’s hard to believe that this dream became a reality. We’ve really been able to elevate golf to another level, and we’re just getting started.”

All eyes will be on Woods as he plays his first match with his team, the Jupiter Links, on Tuesday, Jan. 14.

When does Tiger Woods play in the TGL?

Fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming match on Tuesday, Jan. 14, when they will get to see Woods make his debut with the Jupiter Links Club. This team also includes Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner. In addition to playing, Woods’ TGR Ventures is also a co-owner of the team along with David Blitzer.

Woods and the Jupiter Links Club face the Los Angeles Golf Club, featuring golfers. Tommy Fleetwood, Sahith Theegala, Collin Morikawa, Justin Rose. The LAGC is owned by Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams, Venus Williams; and limited partners Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers, Alex Morgan, Servando Carrasco, Michelle Wie West, Tisha Alyn.

How to watch the TGL

If you’re excited to follow the TGL action, you’re in luck because every match will be easily accessible. Whether you prefer watching on a big screen or streaming from your device, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+ have you covered.

TGL matches can also be streamed on Fubo, which is offering a free trial.

What teams and players make up the TGL?

Here are the six teams and their players competing in the first season of TGL:

Atlanta Drive GC

• Patrick Cantlay
• Lucas Glover
• Billy Horschel
• Justin Thomas

Boston Common Golf

• Keegan Bradley
• Hideki Matsuyama
• Rory McIlroy
• Adam Scott

The Bay Golf Club

• Ludvig Åberg
• Wyndham Clark
• Shane Lowry
• Min Woo Lee

Jupiter Links Golf Club

• Max Homa
• Tom Kim
• Kevin Kisner
• Tiger Woods

Los Angeles Golf Club

• Tommy Fleetwood
• Collin Morikawa
• Justin Rose
• Sahith Theegala