Golf is getting a new look with TGL, a new tech-forward team golf league that was developed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. The league looks to bring the excitement of seeing the best players in the world go up against each other in match play formats, but in a shorter time frame than a traditional tournament on the PGA Tour and in a specifically designed arena.
"TGL is the next evolution within professional golf, and I am committed to helping lead it into the future," said Tiger Woods when the league was first announced in 2022. "Embracing technology to create this unique environment gives us the ability to move our sport into primetime on a consistent basis alongside so many of sports’ biggest events."
When is the TGL going to launch? Who is playing in the TGL? And where can you watch TGL events? We've got all that information and more right here for you.
TGL launch date
TGL's inaugural season will begin on January 7, 2025.
The new golf league was initially planning on debuting in January 2024, but issues with the venue forced them to delay.
A complete schedule for TGL's inaugural season is available below.
All matches of TGL is going to air on ESPN and ESPN2. ESPN and ESPN2 are cable networks, though they are widely available. Just about all pay-TV cable subscriptions offer the channels, while all of the major live TV streaming services also carry them (Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV). Having a subscription that carries ESPN also allows you to watch on the go, as your account info can be used to watch TGL on ESPN.com or the ESPN mobile app.
TGL players
Many of best golfers in the world are going to be participating in the TGL, including the league's founding members Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. But here is a complete look at the participating golfers:
- Ludvig Aberg
- Keegan Bradley
- Patrick Cantlay
- Wyndham Clark
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- Tommy Fleetwood
- Rickie Fowler
- Lucas Glover
- Max Homa
- Billy Horschel
- Tom Kim
- Kevin Kisner
- Min Woo Lee
- Shane Lowry
- Hideki Matsuyama
- Rory McIlroy
- Collin Morikawa
- Justin Rose
- Xander Schauffele
- Adam Scott
- Sahith Theegala
- Justin Thomas
- Tiger Woods
- Cameron Young
One additional note, all the players will be mic'd up when they are playing.
TGL teams
The 24 golfers have been sorted into six teams of four, which will compete on a weekly basis in match play events. Though all the matches will be played at the venue in Florida, the teams are going to represent cities across the US.
Here's a look at the TGL teams:
Atlanta Drive GC
- Patrick Cantlay
- Lucas Glover
- Billy Horschel
- Justin Thomas
Boston Common Golf
- Keegan Bradley
- Hideki Matsuyama
- Rory McIlroy
- Adam Scott
Juniper 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
The Bay Golf Club
- Ludvig Aberg
- Wyndham Clark
- Min Woo Lee
- Shane Lowry
TGL format
TGL has shared what their matches are going to look like, playing what they call "modern match play."
Two teams made up of three players each will tee off in a 15-hole match that includes nine holes of "Triples" (three vs three alternate shot) and six holes of Singles (head-to-head play). The team with the fewest shots to complete a hole earns their team one point, if the teams tie then zero points are awarded; there are no carryover points. The team with the most points at the end of the 15 holes wins. If the match is tied after 15 holes, the match will be settled with a three vs three closest to the pin challenge.
A little more on the format. With the alternate shot, let's say Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas and Justin Rose are playing as a team. Woods would tee off, then Thomas would hit the next shot, followed by Rose. If they need to hit another shot, it would go back around to Woods as the cycle restarts.
In the singles format, each players plays two holes one-on-one against the other team. So, Woods would play hole 10 and 13 one-on-one against an opposing player, Thomas hole 11 and 14, while Rose would have 12 and 15.
That is the individual game format, the overall league format sees teams earning points based on the outcome of their matches. A win (in regulation or overtime) gets a team two points, a loss in overtime nets one point and a loss in regulation earns no points.
The four teams with the most points at the end of the regular season qualify for the postseason, which will be a single elimination bracket tournament. The team with the most points will play the team with the fourth most points, while the teams with the second and third most points will play in the first round. The winner of those semifinal matches will then play in the championship.
There are also some specific rules that are being introduced (at least to golf) for the TGL. The first a shot clock, with players having 40 seconds to hit or a shot or be assessed a one-stroke penalty. Each time is also going to have four timeouts per match, two for the 3 vs 3 segment and two for the singles portion. Also, there will be a designated ref to keep on top of all the action and enforce the traditional PGA tour rules, as well as the few new ones, like the shot clock.
All matches will take place in the custom-built SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., which combines virtual course elements for driving and fairway shots and then a live green area for chipping and putting, all with live fans in attendance.
TGL schedule
The full schedule for the inaugural TGL season is now available, including matchups. Check it out right here:
- Match 1: New York Golf Club vs The Bay Golf Club, January 7, 9 pm ET/6 pm PT, ESPN
- Match 2: Los Angeles Golf Club vs Juniper Links Golf Club, January 14, 7 pm ET/4 pm PT, ESPN
- Match 3: New York Golf Club vs Atlanta Drive GC, January 21, 7 pm ET/4 pm PT, ESPN
- Match 4: Juniper Links Golf Club vs Boston Common Golf, January 27, 6:30 pm ET/3:30 pm PT, ESPN
- Match 5: Boston Common Golf vs Los Angeles Golf Club, February 4, 9 pm ET/6 pm PT, ESPN
- Match 6: Atlanta Drive GC vs Los Angeles Golf Club, February 17, 1 pm ET/10 am PT, ESPN
- Match 7: Atlanta Drive GC vs The Bay Golf Club, February 17, 4 pm ET/1 pm PT, ESPN
- Match 8: The Bay Golf Club vs Boston Common Golf, February 17, 7 pm ET/4 pm PT, ESPN2
- Match 9: Juniper Links Golf Club vs New York Golf Club, February 18, 7 pm ET/4 pm PT, ESPN
- Match 10: Los Angeles Golf Club vs New York Golf Club, February 24, 5 pm ET/2 pm PT, ESPN2
- Match 11: Boston Common vs Atlanta Drive GC, February 24, 9 pm ET/6 pm PT, ESPN2
- Match 12: The Bay Golf Club vs Juniper Links Golf Club, February 25, 9 pm ET/6 pm PT, ESPN
- Match 13: The Bay Golf Club vs Los Angeles Golf Club, March 3, 3 pm ET/noon PT, ESPN2
- Match 14: New York Golf Club vs Boston Common Golf, March 3, 7 pm ET/4 pm PT, ESPN2
- Match 15: Juniper Links Golf Club vs Atlanta Drive GC, March 4, 7 pm ET/4 pm PT, ESPN
- Semifinals: March 17 & 18, 7 pm ET/4 pm PT, ESPN2 (March 17), ESPN (March 18)
- Finals: March 24 & March 25, TBD, ESPN2 (March 24), ESPN (March 25)
How to watch TGL
TGL has struck a deal with ESPN that makes the sports network the official home of TGL. All matches will air on either ESPN or ESPN2, as well as be streamed live simultaneously on ESPN Plus. Some TGL content is also expected to air on ABC.
ESPN and ESPN2 are cable networks, though they are widely available. Just about all pay-TV cable subscriptions offer the channels, while all of the major live TV streaming services also carry them (Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV). Having a subscription that carries ESPN also allows you to watch on the go, as your account info can be used to watch TGL on ESPN.com or the ESPN mobile app.
If you prefer to just sign up for the ESPN Plus streaming service rather than an entire cable package, you can subscribe to that as a standalone service or bundle it with Disney Plus and Hulu through the Disney Bundle.
Info on where and how golf fans outside of the US can watch TGL isn't available at this time.
