Tom Kim making the hole in one to help send Tiger Woods’ Jupiter Links into the playoffs unquestionably provided the best moment so far in the brief history of TGL.
Even TGL‘s biggest fan should be able to admit that the league’s start has been underwhelming. The first season saw its two biggest attractions, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, fail to make the playoffs.
Who do you think wins the API this week?
The PGA Tour's best players will be in action at Bay Hill…
There were still some exciting moments, with the likes of Billy Horschel and Justin Rose fully embracing the format. But it feels as though there is still a question mark hanging over whether TGL will still be around in five years.
However, there was a glimpse of TGL’s potential when Tom Kim made an ace on the penultimate hole of Jupiter Links’ crucial clash with The Bay on Tuesday.
The wild scenes after Tom Kim’s ace proves players do care about TGL
The shot sent the SoFi Center into a frenzy.
Seemingly bracing himself for Kim to hit him like a freight train, Max Homa managed to knock Thomas the Tank Engine to the ground instead.
Unlike one of his shots last season, Kevin Kisner went flying off towards the screen. Meanwhile, everyone waited with bated breath to see how Woods’ body would cope with the celebrations involving perhaps the most excitable player on the PGA Tour.
Thankfully, he seemed to come through unscathed; giving us more hope that his name may be announced on that first tee at Augusta National in April.
Ultimately, TGL is never going to win over all of its doubters. But much like the significance of Anthony Kim‘s stunning win in Adelaide for LIV Golf, Tom Kim’s moment of magic has probably given TGL its best chance to succeed.
If Woods or McIlroy were not going to make the ace, Kim was arguably the perfect player for that moment to fall to.
The South Korean has established himself as the talisman of the Internationals’ Presidents Cup team over the last two events, particularly at Quail Hollow in 2022.
Kim’s reaction to his hole in one evoked memories of some of his best moments while representing the Shield. He could not contain his joy, and that sparked about as wild a scene as you will see from TGL.
The fact that Woods was in close proximity made it all the more special. The 15-time major champion was clearly wary of catching Kim at top speed, but still gave him a bear hug.
He was not far away from looking as proud as he had done when Charlie Woods made an ace in the PNC Championship in 2024.
TGL is still searching for the magic formula, but clearly does have potential
Jupiter Links went on to win and book their spot in the playoffs, where they will face McIlroy’s Boston Common side.
It increases the likelihood of Woods playing in TGL at some stage this year.
Where will Tiger Woods finish if he plays The Masters this year?
Tiger is not ruling it out…
TGL remains a work in progress. It really would not be a surprise to see the WTGL overtake the league in popularity in the coming years, with only a fraction of the potential in the women’s game currently being utilised.
But Kim’s hole in one showed that TGL does have something. As the end of the second season edges closer, that feels like a small victory in itself.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
