There is little question that TGL has just had its best week yet, with three of its four matches being decided by one point, while Tiger Woods provided another scarcely-believable moment in his latest appearance.
It has become quite clear that TGL is never going to be every golf fan’s cup of tea. It is so different to anything else that has been seen on the PGA Tour in its history. And there is no question that some will have been put off by a few of the teething problems.
The first few games were extremely one-sided, while the hammer rules baffled many. There was also concerns that the simulator was not working properly.
They have since made a handful of changes. And while it is still not perfect, TGL’s potential arguably became clear on Monday as three games delivered plenty of tension and drama. And it seems to have left some optimistic that there is a real future for the league.
What many have got wrong about TGL in its debut season
It is easy to forget now how important week four seemed, when Tiger Woods‘ Jupiter Links were set to face Rory McIlroy‘s Boston Common side. That appeared to be the match most fans were waiting for with Woods and McIlroy amongst the co-founders of the league.
It actually proved to be a brilliant match, with Jupiter winning in overtime. But it was notable how Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner were the stars of the game.
And speaking on Golf Channel, Eamon Lynch suggested that a lot of concerns about TGL have been put to bed over the last few weeks.
“What’s really become clear I think at this point, it’s not relying on two things that I think a lot of people assumed it would rely on. It’s not relying on star power. They’re having good weeks when Tiger Woods isn’t there. They’re having good weeks when Rory McIlroy isn’t there or isn’t playing. And it’s not reliant upon banter between players. I’d actually like to hear a little more strategy talk among the players. But it’s not relying on some kind of forced banter, because we know these guys are nerds. They think they’re cool, but you’re not, guys. You’re nerds. And that comes out all the time in these made for TV events. It’s not a factor here,” he said.
“The only thing that they’re lacking right now is the fact that the onsite audience can’t hear the broadcast, can’t hear the players, and there’s a disconnect between the liveliness of the audience and the liveliness of the play itself. I think once that is connected, then I think they’ve got a winner.”
The remarkable statement Wyndham Clark made about TGL
There was a very interesting take from Wyndham Clark following Monday’s game, with the 2023 US Open champion admitting that he almost enjoys TGL more than playing on the PGA Tour right now.
“I wish I had this much fun on the golf course. Lately, I’ve not been having very much fun on the course,” Clark said.
“And so when I come in here, I don’t know what it is. I think it’s a little bit of the team aspect, the atmosphere. I think it’s kind of the lightheartedness, and I feel like I can just be myself and have fun and maybe say some things you wouldn’t normally say on a golf course.”
It was impressive to see how seriously the players took the matches so soon after a signature event, and that is going to be so important to the league in the coming years.
To have one of the best players in the world say that it is potentially more enjoyable than a regular event on the PGA Tour is a huge positive as TGL approaches the business end of the season.
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