Whatever happens in the remaining games of the debut season of TGL, nothing is likely to compete with the sight of Kevin Kisner leaving the SoFi Center stunned after thinning a bunker shot into the flagstick when it comes to the league’s best moment.
Week two looked set to be a big moment in TGL‘s early history as it marked the debut of Tiger Woods – the co-founder of the format. Unfortunately, it proved to be something of anti-climax for those hoping to see the 15-time major champion steal the show.
Jupiter Links were beaten 12-1 by Los Angeles. But, while LA may have stormed to an emphatic win, it was Kevin Kisner who left the lasting impression on the fans.
Kisner found himself in the bunker and needing to produce a delicate shot on the movable green. However, he went on to thin his shot, leaving many looking as though they were almost ready to take cover. The ball smashed into the flagstick before flying off the green.
Max Homa shares how Tiger Woods reacted to Kevin Kisner’s bunker shot in TGL
There was no sympathy from teammates Woods and Max Homa. Meanwhile, the laughter almost reached another level when Kisner’s next shot actually lipped out.
And speaking on The Smylie Show, Homa explained what Woods asked him following that incident – as he also shared what it is like to be teammates with the 49-year-old.
“To be on a team with Tiger’s really cool. But all jokes aside, with the whole thing that went on with Kis, to get to stand next to your hero in this game and he has tears running down his face, for not just that, we laughed about that for an hour. He texted me after, ‘I need the video, send me the video’. And I’m like, dude, this is the coolest,” he said.
“That stuff was awesome. And I honestly think for the fans, in the corniest way, he’s such a God-like figure. And to get to see him how we see him, which is just a dude, and he’s honestly an awesome guy, been a good friend, to get to see him in these environments, be normal but competitive, I think that’s why this was made, and it’s worked pretty well for that.”
Positive signs for TGL despite Woods and Rory McIlroy struggling
It would have obviously been fantastic for TGL had the format allowed Woods to shine. You would imagine that it is considerably kinder on his body than potentially walking 72 holes at a regular PGA Tour event.
And there have been glimpses. The best match in the first half of the season came when Jupiter beat Boston Common in overtime.
But it is almost more positive for TGL to be doing well when there is a real possibility that neither Woods or Rory McIlroy make the playoffs.
In the early stages, it appeared that the pair were absolutely vital to its chances of success. But actually, it is the likes of Kisner, Tom Kim and Min Woo Lee who have really shone at various points.
And that bodes well for future seasons, particularly as some of the characters of the PGA Tour perhaps put themselves forward to play.
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