After TGL’s stadium collapsed at the end of last year, its debut was pushed back to 2025. But as the date draws closer, we now have a significant information about the start-up technology-driven league started by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TMRW Sports.
The first night of matches will take place on Jan. 7, 2025, in primetime on ESPN.
“As we plan the 2025 launch of TGL presented by SoFi, we now have the first three Tuesdays in January circled to introduce sports fans to this new form of team golf. 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.
Countless PGA Tour stars are involved in the new circuit, including Woods, McIlroy, Max Homa, Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler, among others.
Learn everything you need to know about the TGL below.
There is only one TGL team brand and roster left to be revealed and that should be happening very soon.
TGL, the Palm Beach Gardens-based interactive golf league, is “full steam ahead” according to one of its co-founders, Hall of Famer Tiger Woods.
Woods, the Jupiter Island resident, answered questions via e-mail exclusively for The Palm Beach Post about his team, Jupiter Links GC, and the league that has overcome the setback of the roof on its original building collapsing in November due to a power outage and wind storm. The incident forced the start date to be pushed back one year.
“Once we have all teams and rosters finalized, I think people will start to learn more about our competition, technology and format,” Woods said. “It’s starting to feel real and I couldn’t be more excited for January.”
Woods’ team, which includes Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner, was revealed Monday. All six four-man rosters are known, with the exception of two spots. The San Francisco team has yet to be officially revealed.
The final piece was TMRW Sports Group, which owns TGL, receiving approval from Palm Beach State College to construct a permanent arena on its campus along PGA Boulevard. That came one month ago. The venue, which will be known as the SoFi Center, will have seating for 1,500 fans.
TMRW Sports was formed by sports executive Mike McCarley, Woods and Jupiter’s Rory McIlroy in partnership with the PGA Tour.
The league is scheduled to launch Jan. 7 with matches held once a week. The plan is for each team to play five matches followed by playoffs.
Max Homa and Tiger Woods interact during Day One of The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 14, 2022 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Here is what Woods told The Post about his team and the progress being made:
Q: How did Jupiter Links GC come together?
A: “TGL league policy was to prioritize player schedules first so that all the guys could commit to and play their normal, desired PGA Tour schedule. Last thing we wanted was a player to not play in an event due to a TGL match.
“With that, I have three guys on my team that I enjoy being around, that I know are going to work hard and grind as team members, can talk a little trash and will have a great time. If I compete in something, I want to win. Jupiter Links now has one of the top all-around players in the world in Max Homa, one of the fastest-rising young stars in Tom Kim and I’ll put Kiz up against anyone in team play. So while I didn’t hand pick this team, I’m thrilled at where Jupiter Links Golf Club stands.”
Q: What do you like about how each players’ game fits the TGL format?
A: “I think each player is going to bring a lot of game and personality to Jupiter Links. TGL’s format, which includes a shot clock, time outs, and both team and individual match play, is really going to highlight our players’ talents and bring a fresh, modern, and fast-paced twist to the game we all love so much.”
Q: What is your excitement level on how TGL is progressing with its new venue, teams being announced?
A: “We are full steam ahead on the new design and build of SoFi Center and after this Jupiter Links announcement, there is only one TGL team brand and roster left to be revealed – the San Francisco team – and that should be happening very soon.
“Once we have all teams and rosters finalized, I think people will start to learn more about our competition, technology and format. It’s starting to feel real and I couldn’t be more excited for January.”
Tom D’Angelo is a senior sports columnist and golf writer for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.
A rising star and PGA Tour veteran round out the four-man team.
Like most players of his generation, Max Homa grew up idolizing Tiger Woods on the golf course. Now the two are teammates.
TGL, the tech-infused golf league backed by Woods and Rory McIlroy slated to now start early in 2025, announced its latest team roster on Monday morning. Woods’ Jupiter Links Golf Club will feature the fan-favorite Homa, rising star Tom Kim and veteran Kevin Kisner.
“I have already shared my excitement and optimism for TGL as a league and product,” said Woods, who is part owner of Jupiter Links. “Now that we have finalized our roster with a team of world-class golfers, I am even more confident that this group will proudly represent the Jupiter area and connect with our fans for years to come.”
— Jupiter Links Golf Club (@JupiterLinksGC) April 22, 2024
The club said the logo “brings to life the vibrant energy of Jupiter, with the ‘Palm Flag’ signature element combining beach and golf lifestyle with a golf pin flag and palm tree. The handwritten font is a nod to Tiger’s signature and the palm branches breaking the red circle represent the rising sun on the horizon.” As for the colors, the primary is, of course, “Tiger Red,” alongside midnight blue, sand and sunrise.
Tiger Woods, Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner will play for Jupiter Links Golf Club in the TGL. (Photo: Courtesy of TGL)
David Blitzer, co-founder of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, is personally investing in Jupiter Links GC. Harris and Blitzer’s impressive portfolio include the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, NHL’s New Jersey Devils and Joe Gibbs Racing.
Blitzer is also a co-owner of MLB’s Cleveland Guardians and the NFL’s Washington Commanders, as well as a General Partner of Crystal Palace Football Club in the English Premier League. He also owns stake in Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake of and the Utah Royals of the National Women’s Soccer League.
All six ownership groups have been announced for the new league.
The ownership group for the sixth and final team in the new tech-infused golf league led by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy features none other than the 15-time major winner.
Woods’ TGR Ventures and David Blizter are the owners of Jupiter Links Golf Club, which will compete against Atlanta Drive GC, Boston Common Golf, Los Angeles Golf Club, TGL New York and TGL San Francisco.
“Having the opportunity to not only compete, but also own a team to represent Jupiter is an exciting next chapter for me,” said Woods via a press release. “I expect Jupiter Links GC to showcase the golf culture of my hometown as we compete against the best players in the world.”
Blitzer founded Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment with Josh Harris and is co-chairman and managing partner of a portfolio that includes the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), New Jersey Devils (NHL) and Joe Gibbs Racing. Blitzer also is a co-owner of the Cleveland Guardians (MLB) and Washington Commanders (NFL), a partner of Crystal Palace Football Club (English Premier League) and owns stakes in various soccer clubs around the world.
Six teams of four PGA Tour players will compete in 15 regular season matches, starting Jan. 9, 2024, followed by semifinals and finals matches all at a high-tech short-game complex that was purpose-built on the campus of Palm Beach State College in Florida.
The two competing teams will name their three players ahead of each match, and all six will be mic’d up during the competition. While some teams have already been announced, full team rosters, names, brands and front-office staff will all be announced later this year.
