Here are 15 takeaways from the highly anticipated TGL opener, where Ludwig Oberg and The Bay Golf dominated Xander Schauffele and New York by a score of 9-2.
Key points:
1. TGL launch went much better than expected
No one knew what was going to happen Tuesday night, but what fans and players saw was an incredible sight. Admittedly, TGL didn't resonate with some people, but it was very different from the star showdown between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf that took place last month. The opening night of TGL did not disappoint. The technology, broadcast and players involved made it a rewarding experience.
2. Incredible technology
The technology employed by TGL and SoFi Center is nothing short of amazing. The screen players type on is 24 times larger than any simulator bay that amateurs are accustomed to. Trackman technology is also involved, producing actual numbers such as ball speed, clubhead speed, and spin rate. That said, Trackman results should be displayed shot by shot.
Max and Lacey Homa agree They say in the TikTok below:
3. Green complexes are legal
When a player's approach finds the putting surface, they will see an illuminated spot on the opposite side of the screen in the Green Zone, an approximately 23,000 square foot short game area. Players then place the ball on the circle and chip or putt out from there. A real bunker is also located next to the green, allowing players to hit real sand shots.
It provides a legitimate short game area that most simulators cannot reproduce. Sure, there are some nuances and differences, but overall, players seemed to enjoy the innovative green zone. Beneath it are hundreds of mechanisms that undulate the green in real time, changing its contours as the virtual hole is played. Neither the players nor the fans were aware of the move.
Perhaps the most unusual moment of the match compared to the green zone was when Matt Fitzpatrick played the ninth hole. The British player intentionally played a chip shot far beyond the hole, causing the ball to roll down the slope and back toward the cup, an imaginative shot that players try every year at Augusta National. It was no different. Then Fitzpatrick tapped in, convincing him that his short game feel and imagination could translate to TGL.
4. Ludwig Oberg is unstoppable
Something about match play brings out the best in Ludwig Oberg. Remember the 2023 Ryder Cup? Oberg, along with Viktor Hovland, defeated Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka 9-8 on Saturday morning, handing America the most lopsided loss in Ryder Cup history.
Fast forward to Tuesday, and Oberg played a huge role in the Bay team's dominance of New York. his 30 foot putt on the green That was probably the biggest highlight, but so was his pin seek. He is one of the best players in the world and will be competing for major championships for years to come.
5. Rickie Fowler…not so much
Rickie Fowler, on the other hand, was in great form. He didn't perform well in the 2024 season, and that unfortunate reality reared its ugly head during his TGL debut. He also looked exhausted throughout.
Fowler always missed the fairways and greens left and right, while Oberg and The Bay seemed to hit their shots directly at the flag every time. Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick also did not relieve Fowler as they lost as a team. However, Fowler's poor performance was particularly noticeable and difficult to watch in action.
6. The speed of play is incredible.
This was by far the best part of TGL. Everything went quickly and everyone was on the edge of their seats. Perhaps the PGA Tour and LPGA should adopt a 40-second shot clock.
7. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy were there but didn't play?
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy took this action from the stands, and while it was a questionable move at first, it now looks great. Both Woods and McIlroy felt there would be plenty of hype and build-up for the TGL debut, regardless of who plays. Therefore, we have decided to postpone the start of TGL until January 14th and 28th, respectively.
This will help keep fans engaged with TGL throughout the first month, as Woods remains a big mover in the golf world and McIlroy remains one of the most popular players around the world.
Woods and McIlroy also spent time on the air, which was great to hear. Both players provided great insight into the origins of TGL and the play itself. Perhaps Woods should play more golf. That might help lower TV ratings.
8. Golfers used to joke, but they need more.
There was some interaction between the golfers, and I loved being able to hear their thoughts and feelings directly on the broadcast. It was great to hear them chatting with each other, but we need more of it.
There may have been fewer jokes because the game quickly got out of hand, but either way, golf fans hope the players' personalities come through through the broadcasts.
My favorite line of the night was at halftime when Xander Schauffele told ESPN's Matt Barry: I won't lie. ”
The golf world needs more of this comedic response, whether it's a sarcastic line like Schauffele's or a controversial microphone incident. And yes, in case you were wondering, Shane Lowry dropped the first F-bomb in TGL history.
9. Fans could be even louder
About 1,500 fans showed up at the SoFi Center and made themselves known early and often. However, once the match got out of hand, the atmosphere died down a bit, save for the “Bronx Cheers” directed at the New York Golf Club. TGL would want fans to be involved and have a voice throughout the game. It creates a unique atmosphere and puts golfers in the middle of the arena for an unfamiliar experience. However, no matter what sport you play, it's difficult to give your all to the game when it's a close match.
10. No more DJ Khaled please
Fans want to see live golf, but DJ Khaled seemed filthy.
You know how network executives have to interview corporate executives during live golf weekend broadcasts? 60 to 90 seconds of word salad conversation distracting from the action? This will make fans angry. The same principle applies to Khalid. What we want to see is golf, not the usual Khalid stuff. And no, we don't need to see him wrap a chain around Ludwig Oberg after that.
11. Long intro and break
Shane Lowry hit his first tee shot at approximately 9:15 ET, 14 minutes after the first TGL broadcast began. Fortunately for golf fans, the Pittsburgh vs. Duke match didn't last long, thanks to Cooper Flagg once again dominating. However, the build-up and intro took a little too long. Admittedly, this is a minor criticism, and perhaps the long opening was due to this being the first match. ESPN needed to explain the nuances. Still, as my father would say during big game telecasts, “Start playing now.''
A similar sentiment can be expressed about the intermission, which occurs well past the halfway point of a television broadcast. Commercials were also interspersed with breaks, but since commercials help pay bills and generate revenue, it would be counterintuitive to harp on the influx of ads. Still, the two-hour broadcast is a bit long for a TGL match, and could easily be shortened to 90 minutes or less. Keep things moving forward. That's the best part of this new endeavor.
Next week, Tiger Woods' Jupiter Links Golf Club will take on Collin Morikawa's Los Angeles Golf Club. The game will start at 7pm ET, but a much earlier start time would please everyone involved. Hopefully, the first shot doesn't play 14 minutes into the broadcast.
12. ESPN did a phenomenal job.
While the above is a minor criticism of ESPN, the world leader in sports did a great job on night one. Matt Barry provided commentary live from SoFi Center and guided the action exquisitely. He had a very good balance in his interactions with the players, never getting in his way, but never underestimating them either. I thought he gave the perfect amount of context throughout the night. Barry is a true professional and it proved Tuesday night. The same goes for Marty Smith, who served as an “on the course” reporter.
The presentation and graphics worked well from the viewer's perspective. The viewer understood what was going on and understood the context of every situation. It's also a huge accomplishment for ESPN to be able to recreate what unfolds on screen on linear television. This helps highlight the most important part of a golf telecast: where the ball lands. The curious angle that connected the players and the fans watching them continued to captivate everyone.
13. Scott Van Pelt makes things evolve.
Scott Van Pelt is probably the most respected host in the industry. It's no wonder his Midnight Edition of SportsCenter has received rave reviews and great reviews since its debut in 2015. His presence and knowledge of all things golf helped raise TGL's profile and give it a feel for the big game. Van Pelt interviewed Ludwig Oberg immediately after his debut, as he does with star players after Monday Night Football games. It's a big time and Van Pelt will only help TGL in the long run.
14. Heart rate sensors add drama
I like the heart rate sensor that beats as the shot clock slows down. When the shot clock reaches 15 seconds, the sound of a heartbeat echoes through the SoFi Center, adding drama and pressure to the players on deck.
Imagine this happening at a PGA Tour event. It may have surprising effects.
Heart rate getting faster as the shot clock decreases?! That amazes me.
— Gabby Herzig (@GabbyHerzig) January 8, 2025
15. Sustainability is key
Perhaps most importantly, sustainability is key. TGL has never been more popular or more popular than it is now. It received rave reviews from fans, players, and experts alike. But can they maintain this momentum until mid-March? Is a 12-week schedule too much? Time will tell, but TGL's biggest priority right now will be to keep fans interested during the inaugural season. Night one cannot be the culmination of everything.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.
