Whatever fans think of TGL, it seems highly likely that many within the golfing world will have eyes on the SoFi Center when New York Golf Club face off against The Bay Golf Club in the first ever match in the league’s history on Tuesday.
TGL has been in the works for well over two years now, with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy swiftly putting their name to the venture. There have been setbacks, with its debut being put back a year, while both Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton had to be replaced from the original lineup after joining LIV Golf.
But the start of the season is now here. Six teams are set to face off over the coming weeks, with the matches taking place inside the SoFi Center, which appears to be an amazing setting for the competition.
There are plenty of innovations, including players being mic’d up. Meanwhile, they will be able to hit from all sorts of lies within the arena. And there is a green for putting on.
Peter Finch expresses concern about TGL
It boasts plenty of star power. But given that TGL is so different to almost anything else the game has had over the years, it is no surprise that some have real question marks over whether the tournament is going to prove to be a success.
Speaking on The Rough Cut Golf Podcast, Peter Finch admitted that he is not yet sure whether TGL is going to be a winner. However, he confirmed that he had a number of concerns.
“Simulator golf is big across the world, South Korea it’s massive for example. But having it as a TV show on prime time… we don’t know how this is going to work, they have a full list of announcers. Some social media people as well. Will this work? I don’t know. It doesn’t have that sense, that it is going to be a slam dunk. I don’t think any of us here are like ‘this is it, this is what we have been waiting for’,” he said.
“I think the team format; everybody knows that team formats work, as far as the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup, when there is something to play for and pride on the line. When you are representing your nation.
I have got to be honest, The Bay Golf Club which I believe is San Francisco, is made up of Ludvig Aberg, Wyndham Clark, Min Woo Lee and Shane Lowry. All of whom I don’t believe have a massive connection to the Bay area. I might be wrong but I don’t think they are going to get a ticker tape parade through the middle of San Fransisco if they win.
“I think the team aspect of this I kind of understand it, great. But it doesn’t feel like it has any relevance or any real investment from me personally emotionally.
“I know they are trying different formats and trying to make more fast paced within the two hours. But my worry would be that they don’t lessen off on the adverts. That’s a bit of a worry about this, how you can get a potentially watchable spectacle and then cram so much into it that it becomes not that. It becomes something which people deride and really don’t like.”
The other worry about TGL
The worry for golf fans is that Finch’s comments are not the only concerns which have been expressed ahead of TGL’s debut.
LIV Golf commentator Jerry Foltz believes TGL has ‘serious potential’. However, Foltz suggested he is worried about the players’ ability to deliver entertainment while they are mic’d up. It definitely has the potential to show a very different side to a lot of the players involved.
Golf fans have been burned for being excited about different events in recent times. Most of the versions of The Match have been disappointing, with The Showdown barely attracting any viewers.
Perhaps that may help TGL as expectations may be lower. It is clear where the problems could lie, particularly in the first few years.
But it is also clear that there are a lot of doubters for TGL to silence in its first few weeks.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
