There’s so much golf in the world to consume right now that when the TGL was launched, it felt like there was a big risk in how it might go down but Rory McIlroy has suggested that in the main, things are going well.
McIlroy is part of the group alongside Tiger Woods who have fronted up money to be involved in the launch of TGL and after the first season was won by Atlanta Drive, there’s high hopes that season two can deliver even more.
Of course, there are improvements that can be made, with tech issues among a number of teething problems the TGL suffered.
However, with so much star power – McIlroy included – and the potential addition of an LPGA team and maybe even a LIV squad down the line, TGL looks like it’s here to stay.
And according to Rory McIlroy, the league is doing something he finds very important for the game of golf.
Rory McIlroy gives his verdict on season one of the TGL
McIlroy was speaking about a number of golf topics in an interview for CNBC News and in doing so, he was asked about his thoughts on the debut season of the TGL.
And for McIlroy, he feels it was a resounding success and in the main, attracted a new audience to the game.
“I think we were thrilled you know,” McIlroy admitted.
“When you’re creating a new concept and putting it out in front of the world for the first time, you’re apprehensive but what we’ve seen is trying to bring golf to a different demographic in a different time.
“The demographic that watches TGL is way different to the demographic that watches regular PGA Tour golf. The audience is way younger, which is great for the game because the criticism of golf is it’s an older person’s sport. So to have that viewership I think is really important and hopefully have those fans as they grow up later on in life.”
What Justin Thomas said about the opening season of TGL
Clearly, a lot of the players involved with TGL enjoyed the first season and while some teams never got going in terms of winning, certain players and teams had a blast.
One of those teams were the eventual winners Atlanta Drive, who with a popular quartet of Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Lucas Glover, and Billy Horschel, picked up the opening season win.
Indeed, Thomas believes TGL was a huge success, as his past comments lined up with McIlroy’s assessment.
“What a season TGL was. I think I speak for everybody when I say it exceeded our expectations, and more fun than any of us could’ve imagined. TGL has found a way to combine a fun and unique twist on golf, while creating a format that is extremely competitive,” Thomas said.
With season two to come, it will be interesting to see if TGL can improve further and the potential addition of an all-female team would add an intriguing and audience engaging aspect to the event.
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