TGL is a futuristic initiative by TMRW Sports, a venture co-founded by sports executive Mike McCarley, golfing legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. The league aims to bring golf to the forefront of prime time entertainment, with state-of-the-art facilities, live audiences, and a television deal with ESPN.
Matches will take place at the high-tech SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The center will provide seating arrangements for fans who can witness the live golfing action.
The matches will be televised in prime time on ESPN, with the players mic’d up. This format is expected to offer viewers an unprecedented immersive experience into the world of professional golf.
Among the teams joining the TGL, the New York Golf Club, owned by renowned businessman and Mets owner Steve Cohen, has garnered significant attention.
The four-player roster for the New York team includes Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler, local Westchester talent Cameron Young, and former U.S. Open champion Matthew Fitzpatrick.
Steve Cohen, along with his Cohen Private Ventures, has expressed his faith in golf as a sport and its potential for growth. His recent involvement in the $3 billion Strategic Sports Group (SSG) investment into the PGA Tour further underscores his commitment to TGL.
Xander Schauffele, ranked No. 5 in the world, voiced his enthusiasm about being part of the New York team. The California native is excited about playing in front of New York’s passionate sports fans.
TGL will feature six teams, each owned by some of the biggest names in sports and business.
- The Atlanta Drive GC, owned by Falcons owner Arthur Blank, includes Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, and Lucas Glover.
- Boston Common GC, owned by Red Sox owner John Henry and his Fenway Sports Group, comprises Rory McIlroy, Keegan Bradley, Adam Scott, and a fourth player yet to be announced.
- The Jupiter Links GC, owned by Tiger Woods’ TGR Ventures and David Blitzer, consists of Woods and other players to be announced.
- The Los Angeles GC, co-owned by Alexis Ohanian, Serena, and Venus Williams, as well as limited partners the Antetokounmpo brothers, Alex Morgan, and Michelle Wie West, will feature Tommy Fleetwood, Sahith Theegala, Collin Morikawa, and Justin Rose.
- San Francisco’s TGL team, led by a group including Stephen Curry, is yet to announce its roster.
Among other players committed to TGL, yet to be assigned a team, include Wyndham Clark, Max Homa, Tom Kim, Min Woo Lee, Shane Lowry, and Kevin Kisner.
The TGL is set to kick off in 2025, with an air of anticipation surrounding its launch. The league’s success depends on how it is received by golf fans, and whether the new format resonates with the audience.
However, the involvement of big names in team ownership, along with a star-studded player lineup, adds credibility and excitement to the venture. As Xander Schauffele puts it, “You never really know until you launch a product.”