The TMRW Golf League (TGL), co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in partnership with the PGA Tour, is set to redefine how golf is played and watched. With its debut on January 7, 2025, TGL combines cutting-edge technology with live action, creating a fast-paced, team-based simulator league designed to attract both seasoned fans and newcomers to the sport.
Here’s everything you need to know about this groundbreaking new league.
What Is the TGL and How Does It Work?
TGL takes place in a state-of-the-art venue at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Unlike traditional golf, which unfolds across sprawling outdoor courses, TGL integrates advanced simulator technology with real-world elements to deliver a high-energy, visually stunning experience. Matches feature two teams of three players competing in a unique 15-hole format split into two segments:
- Triples: A 3-vs-3 alternate shot competition over nine holes.
- Singles: Head-to-head play between team members over six holes.
Each hole is worth one point, with the team earning the most points winning the match. Adding to the drama is “The Hammer,” a strategic tool allowing teams to double the value of a hole. Declining the hammer results in conceding the hole but grants control of the next hammer opportunity. A strict 40-second shot clock ensures the game keeps moving at a brisk, engaging pace.
The season kicks off on January 7, 2025, and runs through early March. The top four teams advance to the semifinals on March 17-18, followed by a best-of-three finals series for the SoFi Cup on March 24-25. Matches are designed to last about two hours, making them perfect for prime-time viewing.
Coming January 2025 on @espn.
Listen to TGL’s own @RickieFowler talk match format, rules, and team golf. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/MwL74ZgBqF
— TGL (@TGL) March 25, 2024
The Incredible Technology Behind TGL
TGL’s tech is on another level. The matches are played on a simulator screen that’s not just big — it’s five stories tall. These colossal screens, measuring 64 feet high and 53 feet wide, could fit, according to the TGL site, four T-rexes, four San Francisco cable cars, or even the giant “H” from the Hollywood sign. Players take their shots from 60 yards out, sending the ball into this high-tech screen, which brings iconic golf courses to life with stunning accuracy.
The physical setup is just as impressive. Fairway and rough shots are played on real grass, and the bunker sand is the same stuff used at Augusta National for the Masters. When players get within 35 yards of the pin, they enter the “Green Zone,” a chipping and putting area where the green shifts its contours to match the virtual hole. Designed with input from Jack Nicklaus’ team, these greens add a realistic and challenging element to the short game.
TGL isn’t just backed by Tiger and Rory. The league has drawn investments from some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment. Serena and Venus Williams, along with Alexis Ohanian, bring their star power and business acumen to the mix. Stephen Curry, NBA sharpshooter and all-around sports fanatic, is also onboard. Formula 1 icon Lewis Hamilton and Grammy-winning artist Justin Timberlake have joined as well. Everybody wants a piece.
TGL Teams and Rosters
TGL’s inaugural season boasts an impressive lineup of talent, featuring some of the biggest names in golf. Each of the six teams includes four PGA Tour stars, with three players competing in each match and the fourth available as a sub. Fans can expect to see Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, and Collin Morikawa in action, alongside rising stars like Ludvig Åberg and Sahith Theegala.
But the more interesting story might be who’s not playing. Because TGL was formed in partnership with the PGA Tour, LIV Golf players like Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Dustin Johnson are absent. Jon Rahm and Tyrell Hatton, who originally committed to TGL, also made the switch to LIV, leaving them out of the mix.
Another surprising omission is world No. 1 and reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, whose absence has raised some eyebrows. And for you Canadian golf fans, it’s worth noting that no Canadians are featured in the league’s initial rosters.
TGL Team Names and Rosters
- Atlanta Drive GC: Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Lucas Glover, Billy Horschel.
- 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.
Key TGL Dates
- Season Opener: January 7, 2025.
- Regular Season: January through early March.
- Semifinals: March 17-18, 2025.
- Finals (SoFi Cup): March 24-25, 2025.
Why TGL Is a Game-Changer for Fans and Bettors
TGL isn’t just a new league; it’s a complete reimagining of golf for a modern audience. For fans, the mashup of advanced technology, star-studded players, and fast-paced matches offers a super fresh way to experience the sport. Players are mic’d up, real-time data is streamed during play, and the two-hour match format is perfect for prime-time entertainment.
For sports bettors, TGL brings plenty of new opportunities. Strategic elements like “The Hammer,” combined with the league’s hybrid format, add layers of complexity to consider when placing bets. With a compact schedule and high-profile players, every match becomes a must-watch event for those looking to get in on the action.