If TGL goes on to become a force in the game of golf, it is likely that week four of season one will be looked back upon as something of a turning point for the league.
Tiger Woods‘ Jupiter Links side managed to get their first win as they defeated Rory McIlroy and Boston Common in the SoFi Center. Heading into the clash, it appeared that TGL really needed a dramatic finish.
The format had come in for criticism, with the opening three games all decided by a margin of at least four points. It was also notable how little star power week three seemed to have, with neither Cameron Young or Patrick Cantlay offering much from an entertainment perspective.
But that all changed in week four. Obviously, Woods and McIlroy were the biggest names involved, but Tom Kim stole the show with his performance, while Kevin Kisner was extremely entertaining once again. And fans were rewarded with the game going into overtime after a 3-3 draw after 15 holes.
Golf fans fear for the PGA Tour after TGL’s best match yet
It certainly seems that the fans have been inspired by the latest match. It has been an underwhelming start to the PGA Tour season, with the Farmers Insurance Open the latest event to attract criticism.
And it appears that viewers fear that TGL has not helped the PGA Tour, with one fan writing: ‘Could just be me. But having more fun with this TGL match than I’ve had watching any PGA golf since the last major.‘ Meanwhile, another said: ‘This TGL tonight was better than any PGA Tour event I’ve seen in a year maybe? That’s sad‘.
One viewer wrote: ‘TGL is fun to watch. Fast paced, get to see all the shots. PGA could learn a thing or two.’ Another simply claimed: ‘This is way better the the PGA Tour‘
‘This new TGL golf competition is actually pretty fun. It reminds me more of a pickup game between friends. More emotion than typical PGA events. Lots of talking from players and fan interaction. I like it‘,” one fan wrote.
And it appears that some think that TGL could actively harm the PGA Tour, with one fan saying: ‘Are any golf fans a little worried that the TGL has been TOO good. Tonight has been better than any LIV event, and better than any PGA event over the past 3 months‘.
Meanwhile, there was a suggestion that TGL’s popularity speaks to the problem the main tour now faces in the current climate.
The PGA Tour appears to be sleepwalking into a problem
Certainly, it did not help the PGA Tour that this TGL match came just days after an event which boasted a weaker field, and included another Sunday where the leaders took the best part of six hours to get around Torrey Pines.
Clearly, TGL is not going to be this good every week. And there may come a point where one outstanding match in four is simply not good enough.
But at least if golf fans are committing to watching TGL in the hope of seeing a dramatic finish, they have only lost a couple of hours if it fails to deliver.
With all due respect to Harris English, it is much more likely that Jupiter’s win over Boston is going to be remembered fondly at the end of the year than his victory at the Farmers.
The problem is that the PGA Tour does not appear to be motivated to change a great deal anytime soon.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
