TGL Launch: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s Innovative Indoor Golf League Set to Begin in January

The highly anticipated indoor golf league, TGL, co-founded by golfing legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, is officially set to kick off on January 7, 2025. This groundbreaking venture aims to revolutionize the sport and attract a younger audience through its high-tech format and exciting competition.

Initially scheduled to launch in January 2023, TGL faced significant setbacks, including the collapse of its custom-built venue, the SoFi Center in Florida, due to a power failure last November. Now, with a fresh schedule released, the league is ready to make its mark.

The league will feature six teams, composed of 24 prominent PGA Tour players, who will compete in a 15-match regular season at a state-of-the-art arena in Palm Beach Gardens, accommodating 1,500 fans. The season will culminate in a best-of-three Finals Series for the coveted SoFi Cup, scheduled for March 24, 2025. Matches will be broadcast on ESPN, aiming to blend traditional golf with a modern, interactive experience.

At the heart of TGL’s innovation is its unique playing format. Each four-player team will use a massive 64-by-53-foot simulator for tee and approach shots, followed by play on a rotating GreenZone that can adjust slopes and contours for each hole. This combination promises a dynamic and engaging experience for players and spectators alike.

Tickets for the matches, which will be contested over 15 holes in two sessions, will start at $160 and go on sale to the public on October 29.

The league boasts a remarkable roster of owners, including tennis icons Serena and Venus Williams, NBA stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Steph Curry, and the Fenway Sports Group, which owns Liverpool Football Club. This diverse backing highlights the cross-sport appeal TGL is striving for.

The inaugural match will feature New York Golf Club, led by two-time major champion Xander Schauffele, going head-to-head against The Bay Golf Club. Schauffele, who had a stellar 2024 season with victories at both the PGA Championship and The Open, will compete alongside Rickie Fowler, Cameron Young, and England’s Matt Fitzpatrick against Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg, Australia’s Min Woo Lee, Ireland’s Shane Lowry, and Wyndham Clark from the U.S.

In the second match, set for January 14, Tiger Woods will make his long-awaited return as he leads Jupiter Links Golf Club against Atlanta Drive Golf Club, featuring Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, and Lucas Glover. Woods, who played in all four majors for the first time since his serious car accident in 2021, is returning after successful back surgery. He expressed hope to resume normal activities, including golf.

Rory McIlroy, currently ranked third in the world, will debut with his Boston Common Golf team on matchday four, competing against Woods’ squad. Both McIlroy and Schauffele represent the highest-ranked players in the league, with notable absences including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and other top contenders like Viktor Hovland and Bryson DeChambeau.

The league’s structure features a diverse range of teams:

• Atlanta Drive GC: Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Lucas Glover
• Boston Common Golf: Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama, Keegan Bradley, Adam Scott
• Jupiter Links Golf Club: Tiger Woods, Max Homa, Tom Kim, Kevin Kisner
• Los Angeles Golf Club: Collin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood
• New York Golf Club: Matt Fitzpatrick, Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele, Cameron Young
• The Bay Golf Club: Ludvig Åberg, Wyndham Clark, Min Woo Lee, Shane Lowry

TGL’s regular season schedule includes several key matchups:

• January 7: New York GC vs. The Bay GC
• January 14: Los Angeles GC vs. Jupiter Links GC
• January 21: New York GC vs. Atlanta Drive GC
• January 27: Jupiter Links GC vs. Boston Common GC
• February 4: Boston Common GC vs. Los Angeles GC
• Additional matches throughout February leading up to semifinals on March 17 and 18, and the Finals Series on March 24 and 25.

With its unique approach to the game and a star-studded lineup, TGL promises to deliver an exhilarating new experience for golf fans and participants alike, marking an exciting new chapter in the world of golf.