TGL is underway but the obvious omission of world number one Scottie Scheffler is very much something that’s caught the eye.
Scheffler is not involved with TGL at all right now, instead choosing to focus on other golf matters as well as his family having had a new-born son in 2024.
Of course, TGL isn’t devoid of star power, with the likes of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods among a strong field of players.
Adding the world number one is no doubt something they’ll want to do at some point.
However, according to Rex Hoggard, TGL would actually be better looking at some LIV players over Scheffler.
TGL told to sign Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka instead of Scottie Scheffler
Speaking about the the issues TGL face on the latest episode of the Golf Channel podcast, Rex Hoggard answered the question on if Scottie Scheffler playing would improve it.
However, Hoggard believes TGL doesn’t miss Scheffler and instead, would benefit from a few other big names.
“Scottie plays brilliant golf and he’s actually a really good interview if you sit him down with a serious topic. I don’t find him to be overly engaging or funny or a trash talker, you don’t really see that so I don’t know how he’s going to add to the broadcast,” Hoggard said.
“I could see Jordan [Spieth], certainly. We’ve seen the lighter and funnier side of Jordan, so that might help. However, if we wanted to go into the list, we’re probably looking at a couple of LIV guys.
“I think Bryson DeChambeau, would make it a lot more entertaining if we’re being honest. Brooks Koepka, he’d be a little grumpy, you could see him making it fun. But no, I don’t see Scottie make a difference.”
What the reaction to TGL has been after three weeks
TGL is definitely an innovative idea but so far, the reaction to the events has been mixed to say the last.
In the main, viewers are tuning in, with the average fan actually younger than that of the NBA and NFL.
However, there are teething problems for TGL, not least with the technology, which seemed to cause problems last week when Tiger Woods was playing.
Furthermore, Eddie Pepperell has called the whole idea ‘terrible’, admitting he’s not a fan and it needs changing.
“The first week, yeah, give it the benefit of the doubt. But it was terrible. Who is it for? If it’s not for the golf fan then you are going to have a hard time getting new people into golf when that is the product I would say. And there is no competition involved, no real drama. Things need to change and probably need to change quite rapidly for that thing to take off. It definitely needs a close match,” Pepperell said.
“At the moment I am putting in the Jaguar rebranding basket. That is where it is for me and golf. It’s not quite working.”
The TGL higher ups will be keen to ensure the product does keep growing and keeps fans interested.
New players signing up are going to be key and it will be interesting to see if from 2026 onwards we do indeed see some LIV players involved.
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