Here’s who’s announcing the new TGL golf league broadcasts.
The TGL — the virtual golf league created by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy — is here, with some big-name pro golfers teeing it up in a giant facility in Florida.
We’re getting our first taste of in 2025, and if you’re here, you might be wondering: who are those voices you’re hearing on the broadcast on ESPN and ESPN+?
So if you’re here, you might be wondering: who’s on which team? That’s a great question that we’re here to answer. Let’s go team by team with the players for each of the squads in the 2025 edition of the TGL:
It’s January of 2025, but we’re getting golf in Florida starting on Tuesday.
That’s right, it’s time for the premiere of TGL, the virtual golf league that was founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. There are a whole bunch of big-name golfers participating and we’ll get to see the first night of it on ESPN and ESPN+ on January 7, 2025.
But if you’re here, you might be wondering: what’s this league all about? What are the rules? Who’s participating?
Fear not! We have a total breakdown of the whole thing from top to bottom as we get set to watch some virtual golf.
What is the TGL?
It’s the indoor golf simulation league. It was founded by TMRW Sports with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy
What does TGL stand for?
Great question! It’s not Tiger’s Golf League. Its’s: Tomorrow’s Golf League.
How does the TGL format work?
There are six teams of four players each, with three stepping in each week to play. The best four teams after the season will face off in the playoffs.
Each of the matchups will have two sessions:
1. Three-on-three alternate shot.
2. Six holes of head-to-head, where the golfers will match up and play two holes each.
Each winning hole is a point, ties are worth zero points, and if there’s a tie in the match overall, there will be a closest-to-the-pin competition to decide the winner.
A win is worth two points in the standings, a loss in OT is one point and a loss is zero.
[It’s] a 250,000-square-foot venue on the campus of Palm Beach State College in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The structure suffered a setback when the roof collapsed on the original tech-infused arena for golf due to a power failure, causing damage to the air-supported dome. The virtual golf league was postponed from 2024 until 2025, but it’s here.
How do the TGL simulators work?
Watch this video and you’ll see — it’s virtual, but they’re playing on surfaces that are real grass, in sand traps, on greens.
If you drain a hole in one on the PGA Tour, drinks are on you when you get back to the clubhouse. Even if you’re 15 years old.
That’s what Charlie Woods was left to learn Sunday after his first-ever ace — a beautiful par three iron that left dad Tiger Woods almost giddy with joy in the aftermath. Soon after, Tiger told his son the bad news. Dropping that tee shot into the cup was gonna cost him once the round was over. Especially during an event in which John Daly and his son are also competitors.
At 15 years old, it would take a few allowances to pay for all the $12 beers at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Course. Fortunately for him, his dad and his $120 million in career earnings from PGA events alone should be able to cover the tab.
The PNC Championship allows a quick glimpse at what could be the next generation of golf’s biggest stars. That’s because they’ve come from current and past generations of golf’s biggest stars.
The event allows pros to tee up with their children, adding a special wrinkle to the off-season event. No one generates more excitement — or more eyeballs — than one of the greatest golfers in history. Tiger Woods is playing this week, alongside 15-year-old son Charlie.
On Sunday, Charlie showcased the mechanics and awareness that made his dad a 15-time major winner. His hole-in-one on the par three fourth helped Team Woods tie Team Singh and Team Langer atop the leaderboard at -18.
Surprise washed over the younger Woods’s face as he learned what he assumed was merely a good shot was, in fact, the best shot he could have made. Tiger made no effort to hide his joy, pulling his teenager in for a chest-thumping hug to celebrate the first ace of his golf career. Then, with a loud “yeah!” he excitedly shoved his son away in a bit of impromptu Elaine Benes cosplay.
via Golf Channel
Just guys being dudes, and a dad being proud of his son.
Golf legend Tiger Woods and his son, Charlie, have teamed up this week to hit the links at the PNC Championship. The event, which allows some of the biggest names in golf to pair up with members of their family, is a best-ball tournament at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Grande Lakes in Florida.
Nelly Korda, Nick Faldo, Fred Couples, Annika Sorenstam, Vijay Singh and John Daly are among the other golfers in the field.
At 15 years old, Charlie Woods is already showing some of the same prowess his father has on the course, but the duo is eerily in sync in their movements and post-putt motions.
Come for the putt, stay for Tiger and Charlie Woods perfectly in sync.
PGA Tour names former Alabama golfer Nick Dunlap as their 2024 Rookie of the Year.
At only 20 years of age, Nick Dunlap is the next big thing in United States golf. The former Alabama Crimson Tide standout burst onto the scene becoming only the second player to ever win the US Amateur Championship (2023) as well as the US Junior Am (2021) alongside the legend Tiger Woods.
Dunlap became a household name when he received a sponsor exemption to play in The American Express on the PGA Tour in January of 2024 and then won the whole Tournament. He became the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event in 33 years. At just 20 years and 29 days old, Dunlap became the second-youngest winner on the PGA Tour in the past 90 years, behind Jordan Spieth, who won at 19 years and 352 days old. Dunlap then turned professional the following week.
Despite being the youngest player on the Tour, Dunlap was outstanding as a Rookie playing in 23 events (making 15 cuts) resulting in a pair of wins, four top 10 and seven top 25 finishes. As a result, the PGA Tour announced that Dunlap was the 2024 Arnold Palmer Award Rookie of the Year honoree.
Dunlap missed the cut at all three major events he attended in 2024 including the Master’s, however I believe he will be a name to keep an eye on in the coming years.
Give it up for your 2024 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year! 🏆🤩
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Blades Brown is turning pro! Meet the 17-year-old golfing sensation.
The golf world is adding another professional to its elite group of athletes — 17-year-old Blades Brown.
Yes, you read that right. Blades Brown, the top-ranked athlete in the class of 2026, is turning pro. On Tuesday, Brown made the decision Instagram official, announcing that he is forgoing college and will begin competing next year.
The Nashville native has been a rising star, turning heads along the way. But now, there will be even more eyes on his game as he ascends into the pro ranks, and you’ll want to keep up with his career.
If you’re wondering who Brown is and what you need to know about the young golfer, we’ve got you covered. Here are more facts about the teen phenom, including his ties to the WNBA.
1. Blades Brown has etched his name in the record books with Tiger Woods and Bobby Clampett
Raj Mehta/Getty Images
Brown is a golf whiz, and after winning three consecutive TSSAA golf state championships at Brentwood Academy, he left school to further his career.
The move paid off because, in 2023, Brown became the youngest medalist in U.S. Amateur history. He joined a historic group of golfers, including Tiger Woods and Bobby Clampett, as the only players to medal at a U.S. Amateur and a U.S. Junior Amateur competition.
2. Blades Brown’s mom was a former WNBA No. 1 overall pick
After a four-year basketball career at Vanderbilt, Rhonda Blades Brown entered the WNBA, where she became the top pick in the 1998 expansion draft. The former guard was also the league’s first player to make a 3-point shot.
3. Blades Brown makes his pro golf debut in 2025
Raj Mehta/Getty Images
Golf fans won’t have to wait long to see Brown in action. Using a sponsor exemption, he’ll make his pro debut at The American Express golf tournament in La Quinta, California, on January 13, 2025.
The exemption is a special invitation from a tournament sponsor that allows a golfer to bypass traditional qualification processes.
The location has two artificial turf mini-golf courses set amid tropical landscaping.
There’s a new Tiger Woods’ PopStroke set to open in West Palm Beach this month, with a new level of amenities added to the family-friendly golf and dining venue.
PopStroke takes the old concept of mini-golf and elevates it into a high-tech experience that is heavy on perks, plus food and drink.
During a preview of the West Palm Beach complex on Dec. 5, PopStroke Chief Executive Greg Bartoli showed the many details he hopes will transform the nearly $20 million site into a flagship destination for the company.
The location has two artificial turf mini-golf courses set amid tropical landscaping, outdoor lighting and misting fans.
The venue also features a children’s playground, a restaurant, six bars, and six 24-foot-by-13-foot jumbotron video screens that display leaderboards and sports games.
This PopStroke location, the second in Palm Beach County (the other is in Delray Beach), also has the most extra of touches: A 21 and older VIP lounge, featuring a swimming pool and bar.
The West Palm Beach PopStroke, at 2429 Perimeter Rd., will open to the public Dec. 20, at 10 a.m. The property, off Belvedere Road just west of Interstate 95, is on land leased from the Palm Beach International Airport.
Bartoli, who is partners with Woods in the venture, said he’s tried to create a lively atmosphere for everyone, “like a backyard party.”
PopStroke is a far cry from the mini-golf courses that once dotted many Old Florida tourist towns.
But Bartoli said the influx of companies and residents into Palm Beach County in recent years, a trend accelerated during the COVID pandemic, created the need for a centrally-located gathering spot.
“There’s no windmills, no clowns,” Bartoli said of PopStroke. “Instead, we’ve made a beautiful environment that can appeal to different guests.”
Palm Beach County “has the nicest, world-class resorts,” Bartoli added, “and we want to make this a showcase property.”
The newly-built PopStroke reflects the increasingly upscale orientation of businesses throughout Palm Beach County, whether it’s private clubs, hotels, office buildings and shopping centers.
Who can play at PopStroke?
There’s something for everyone at PopStroke, from visitors aged three to 93.
During the day, children and families can play golf or enjoy other games, such as cornhole. In addition to a family-friendly restaurant, there’s also an ice cream parlor.
At night, PopStroke’s dramatic lighting creates the scene for gatherings of friends and professionals, he said.
Meanwhile, the members-only VIP room will be its own scene, right down to the food.
The sushi served in the lounge will be flown in from Japan and prepared by chefs who previously worked at Nobu, Bartoli said.
In addition to the swimming pool and cabanas, the VIP lounge also has showers, changing rooms and lockers.
Courses are near completion during a tour of the soon-to-open PopStroke entertainment venue near Palm Beach International Airport in unincorporated Palm Beach County, Fla., on December 5, 2024. CEO Greg Bartoli says the facility is two weeks from its grand opening. (Thomas Cordy/Palm Beach Post)
‘Sand’ traps, hills and lots of extras
The West Palm Beach location PopStroke features two 18-hole mini-golf courses designed by a professional golf course designer.
The courses are intended to mimic the traits of a regular golf course. This includes plenty of sand traps made of white artificial turf, plus lots of little hills.
In addition to the putting courses, there’s also an extra “challenge” hole to play.
Key to the PopStroke experience is the blending of sports with technology. Guests must download an app to play golf at PopStroke. The app allows players to update their scores on the jumbotron leaderboards. Guests also can order drinks, which are delivered by servers to the customer’s exact spot on the (mini) greens.
PopStroke also has a two-story restaurant and amenities building.
A ground-floor restaurant will serve a traditional American menu. The space opens to a fenced-in children’s playground.
Bartoli, who has three young children, said parents can watch their children play while they finish their meals in peace.
Above the restaurant is a second-floor event space with its own bar. Bartoli said the venue can accommodate up to 100 guests for events ranging from birthday parties to corporate gatherings.
But only VIP club members can rent the upstairs VIP space, he said.
However, for an unspecified amount, he said the entire PopStroke space can be rented out.
Courses are near completion during a tour of the soon-to-open PopStroke entertainment venue near Palm Beach International Airport in unincorporated Palm Beach County, Fla., on December 5, 2024. CEO Greg Bartoli says the facility is two weeks from its grand opening. (Thomas Cordy/Palm Beach Post)
How much does it cost to play?
The restaurant is open to the public, and people do not need to buy a golf pass to eat there.
But for those wanting to play the mini-golf courses, PopStroke costs $30 per person for an all-day pass from Monday through Thursday, and $35 from Friday through Sunday.
Discounts are available for children and seniors.
PopStroke memberships are available for $30 a month and provide unlimited golf play, plus 25% off food and beverage and 20% off events.
The VIP space has a different fee: $5,000 a year. VIP members get a “fast pass” to the courses and are first in line to tee off.
Why Bartoli created PopStroke
Bartoli, a former Wall Street banker, moved to Florida several years ago and settled in Jupiter with his young family.
He quickly became a mini-golf aficionado and developed the Lighthouse Cove Adventure Golf course, which has two locations in Jupiter.
But Bartoli said he still yearned for a golf venue where he could bring his three children and enjoy some adult me-time.
When he created PopStroke in 2018, he made sure to include play areas and playgrounds along with sports bars and television sets.
Bartoli opened PopStroke’s first location in Port St. Lucie in 2019, then brought on Woods, who lives in Jupiter Island, as a co-owner in 2020. Woods’ TGR Design redid the Port St. Lucie course.
PopStroke’s first Palm Beach County location, at 1314 N. Federal Highway in Delray Beach, opened in November 2023.
Since then, the company has opened locations across the country, including Las Vegas, Arizona and Texas. More locations are planned.
PopStroke was going to open a location in Wellington, but Bartoli said that spot has been put on hold for now.
Instead, he said PopStroke wants to build up the West Palm Beach location as a dominant destination and attract people “from all over the county.”
Woods isn’t the only major golf investor to get involved in PopStroke Entertainment Group.
The equipment company TaylorMade joined with the venture, too. Each PopStroke venue is outfitted with special edition TaylorMade golf balls for patrons to use on the putting course and take home as a keepsake.
Putters are included in the PopStroke day pass, but premium TaylorMade rental putters can be rented for $10.
PopStroke’s offices in Jupiter and Stuart employ about 75. But the company nationwide employs 2,000.
And at the West Palm Beach location alone, the company expects to hire between 175-200 people, Bartoli said.
The Popstroke golf courses are among the numerous facilities that have been coming to Palm Beach County, which is known by some to be the “golf capital of the world” because it is home to 145 courses and many of the golfers on the PGA Tour.
Alexandra Clough is a business writer at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at aclough@pbpost.com. X: @acloughpbp. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
Golf has lost one of its leading writers of the past four decades.
Jeff Babineau, longtime golf writer and former editor of Golfweek, died Tuesday at his home in Oviedo, Florida. He was 62.
Babineau’s list of friends and contacts ranges across the entire sport, and the scope of his work spanned decades and included stories and interviews about every major star on any golf tour. He covered more than 100 major championships on the men’s and women’s tours, and he also wrote about 12 Ryder Cups.
The Golf Writers Association of America reported that he passed away from natural causes. Babineau was president of that organization from 2015-2017 and still served as its secretary.
Known far and wide as “Babs” and one of the best-known voices in any media room, he worked in recent years as a freelance writer for organizations such as Augusta National, the PGA Tour and the PGA of America, among many others. He also was proud to serve on the board of directors for Folds of Honor, a non-profit that raises money for children who have lost a military parent.
Jeff Babineau presents to Gary Woodland the Golf Writers Association of America’s Ben Hogan Award – for an individual who has continued to be active in golf despite a physical handicap or serious illness – at this year’s annual GWAA dinner the week of the Masters. (Courtesy of the GWAA/David Cannon/Getty Images)
After graduating from Florida Southern College in 1984, Babineau got his start in journalism at the Orlando Sentinel in 1986, covering golf as well as the NFL, NHL and college sports. He moved to Golfweek in 1998 and became a senior writer and deputy editor, eventually taking over as editor in 2008. He served in that role until 2014, when he gave up the editor’s role to focus on his passion for writing, at which he excelled, having won many awards over the years. He departed Golfweek in 2017 and began work as a freelancer among other opportunities.
In his time at Golfweek, Babs served as a coach to many, including this writer. He knew golf, he knew writing and he knew how to make people smile. He will be sorely missed.
“Babs was a mentor to me and a friend to all,” said Golfweek senior writer Adam Schupak, who started working alongside Babineau in 2005. “He knew the right questions to ask and the best way to ask them. No one used sarcasm to better effect but his real superpowers were the ability to write with both empathy and humor in equal parts.”
Babineau is survived by his wife, Jane, and three sons: Keith, Derek and Luke. Details of any services will be shared when available.
