TGL has two words that keep floating around to describe it. One is innovative. The technology base makes it more in line with the modern era and gives it a more polished presence. Frankie Borelli, one of the hosts of Fore Play Podcast, had this to say in the latest episode. “It is 2 hours long. It is easy to consume.” The second is consumer-friendly. In a world of dying attention spans and second-screen ventures, TGL fits perfectly. Maybe these are the reasons TGL started on a high note. Averaging over 900,000K viewers in the debut match? Came week 2, the number skyrocketed to 1.05M. After that, it has been all over the place.
In the third week, TGL attracted 682,000 viewers, and then to see the duel between Rory McIlroy’s and Woods’s team, 862K people tuned in. The next week, the number went down significantly. Just 544K. Then came TGL’s most thrilling week, at least what everyone thought. For Presidents’ Day, TGL hosted a tripleheader, hoping to gain momentum, but that sadly was not the case.
The triple-header delivered some of the league’s smallest TV ratings to date, delivering 347,000 (ESPN), 377,000 (ESPN), and 357,000 (ESPN2) average viewers, respectively. And Woods’s match with NYGC this last Tuesday drew in 546,000 viewers. The day was already abuzz because it was Tiger Woods’s first appearance since his mother’s passing. While viewers were expected to be treated to another close encounter, it was not to be. New York Golf Club seemingly capitalized on Jupiter Links’ lack of focus and ran away one-sided winners with a score of 10-3. As a result, thoughts are kicking in, as to what TGL needs to do better since it started strong.
Both Borelli and Co-host Luggage Guy Trent had a deep discussion on the current state of TGL and what needs to change. Their consensus – not much, despite the declining viewership.
The see-saw nature of Tiger Woods’s TGL
TGL had 9 matches so far. Of the nine, four were decided by either a point or in overtime. The other four were decided by 4 points or more, making it highly one-sided. The close matches are very exciting, but the blowouts are on the other end of the spectrum.
“TGL matches are a see-saw. It is either really close, really entertaining or they are blowouts,” stated Trent. He summed up TGL’s last week aptly, “President’s Day was great, had a ton of huge moments, great matches, and then we seesawed back Tuesday night with the Jupiter Links New York Golf Club.” All three matches on the 17 were edge-of-the-seat thrillers that toyed with the emotions of the fans.
The Atlanta Drive beat the Los Angeles Golf Club 6-5 in overtime in the first match. The second match saw the Drive lose out to the Bay Golf Club on a similar score but during regular play. The final game on February 17 saw the Bay Golf Club maintain their unbeaten run and beat the yet-to-win Boston Common Golf with another close score of 5-4. All three matches were action-packed and had crazy moments, including Tommy Fleetwood’s near ace during the competition, after nailing one in practice.
“I wish all the matches were close because obviously that’s when you get the best matches,” he said as a solution for making every match a super hit! The lack of competitiveness put a damper on the mood of the fans who were expecting similar excitement from the day before. “It has just lost a little momentum, but it doesn’t make me feel down on TGL.”
🚨📺⛳️ #TGL RATINGS are in, including Mon. (avg) & Tues. this week (Via @JoshACarpenter)
▪️9P Week 1 — 919K (Debut)
▪️7P Week 2 — 1.05M (TW)
▪️7P Week 3 — 682K
▪️7P Week 4 — 864K (Rory/Tiger)
▪️9P Week 5 — 544K
▪️1/4/7P Week 6 — 365K
▪️7P Week 6 — 546K
pic.twitter.com/S6RoVxCMvX— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) February 20, 2025
It is the anticipation that makes the matches more appealing. So naturally, you must be waiting for the next one!
When can you catch TGL next?
The TGL action will continue its exciting pace this week as well. February 24 has two matches taking place. Los Angeles Golf Club will take on New York Golf Club in the first tie, while Boston Common Golf will be looking to claim its first win in the tournament against the Atalanta Drive GC.
On February 25, Jupiter Links Golf Club will face off against the unbeaten Bay Golf Club. The biggest news from this game is the absence of Tiger Woods from the match squad. Tom Kim, Kevin Kisner, and Max Homa will tee off for the Jupiter Links side. Genesis Invitational winner Ludvig Aberg will sit out for the Bay Golf Club. With the playoff spots hanging in the balance, all matches are crucial for all teams.
Tiger Woods’s absence means that he could possibly play at the upcoming Cognizant Classic if he wishes to do so, thereby making his 2025 PGA Tour debut. But the viewership numbers clearly suggest that the TGL needs him. Do you think that Tiger Woods’s absence will affect the viewership on February 25? And do you think that it will seriously affect his team Jupiter Links’s qualification for the next stage?
