TGL reveals new launch date, unique rules for 2025 debut
TGL, the new golf league backed by Tiger Woods, officially has a start date slated for early 2025. Here’s what we know.
The post TGL reveals new launch date, unique rules for 2025 debut appeared first on Golf.
TGL, the new golf league backed by Tiger Woods, officially has a start date slated for early 2025. Here’s what we know.
The post TGL reveals new launch date, unique rules for 2025 debut appeared first on Golf.
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s indoor golf league is starting to take shape.
Following a failed launch earlier this year (thanks in part to a collapse of the dome housing the league), TGL officially has a target start date for 2025, the league announced Monday morning. Additionally, TGL shared a few of the rules that will be used for the first-of-its-kind simulator league.
Here’s everything we know:
TGL launch date
TGL will make its debut just after the new year with the first competition scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 7. The competition will air on ESPN and ESPN+ in primetime in the U.S. with six teams led by PGA Tour stars. The league has matches scheduled for the first three Tuesdays of January during ESPN’s busiest month of the year.
“January is a tremendous time of year for fans looking for prime time sports and TGL’s launch will complement the start of the PGA TOUR season and take advantage of ESPN’s promotional machine across their coverage of the NFL and college football playoffs,” said Mike McCarley, founder and CEO of TMRW Sports. “We’re eager to introduce sports fans to TGL as we focus on the league’s debut this coming January.”
Unique rules
TGL is the first simulator golf league of its kind, and it’ll have a unique set of rules to govern play. Below are a few of the unique rules the league will feature.
—Shot clock
Pace of play police rejoice — TGL will feature a shot clock. Each player will have 40 seconds to hit each shot; if they fail to do so within the allotted time, they will receive a one-stroke penalty. The shot clock will be enforced by a referee (more on that below) and will reset after each turn.
—Timeouts
TGL will also have timeouts. Each team will have four timeouts per match, and can use a maximum of two per session. When timeouts are called, they will reset the shot clock with no penalty. Oh, and timeouts can be called when an opposing player is readying to hit a shot. Think Tiger can be iced before hitting a big putt? We’re about to find out.
—Referee
Just like any other team sport, TGL will have an official to referee the action. The ref will be on the “field of play” as the golfers compete, and there will also be a booth referee to monitor the action via video feed.
Basics of competition
TGL also has updated its website with a breakdown of its competition, which you can see below.
Match format
Each match will be 15 holes, which will be played over two sessions — triples and singles. Triples, an alternate-shot format with three players per team, will be nine holes, while singles will be six holes. Players will play two holes a piece during the singles session. If matches are tied after the 15 holes, a closest-to-the-pin competition will be used to decide a winner in overtime.
League format
TGL will use a points-based format, similar to what is used in soccer or hockey. Teams will receive two points for winning in regulation or overtime, one point for losing in overtime, and zero points for losing in regulation.
Postseason
Just like any other team sport, the TGL will have postseason playoffs. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs, which will feature a single-elimination semifinal round and best-of-three championship series.
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