Tiger and Rory’s TGL golf league release 2025 season schedule and ticket prices

Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods will launch their TGL golf league in 2025

Everything you need to know about TGL, a new golf league launching in January 2025, formed by Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Mike McCarley in partnership with the PGA Tour.

Jump To: TGL team rosters | TGL schedule | TGL format | TGL rules | TGL technology | TGL holes | TGL tickets

If you’re a golf fan and haven’t heard of the Tech Golf League (TGL) then we can only assume you’ve been living in a cave. The TGL is a virtual venture spearheaded by three of the most influential people in golf – Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, and sports media executive Mike McCarley.

Together the trio founded TMRW Sports (pronounced “tomorrow”), a tech-focused venture aimed at ‘harnessing technology to build progressive approaches in sports, media and entertainment’.

Central to that vision is TGL, a new indoor golf league, that will see six teams of four PGA Tour players competing in a season-long, fast-paced competition on Monday and Tuesday nights. They’re betting on it drawing new (and younger) eyes to the sport with a brand new ‘Modern Matchplay’ concept, which combines elements of TopGolf, eSports, and traditional golf.

Tiger calls it the “next evolution within professional golf”. 

TGL was due to tee off in January 2024 until a failure of the temporary power system caused the air-supported dome of the SoFi Center to deflate, leaving organizers with little option but to postpone the launch date for another 12 months.

Excitement is now building ahead of the new launch date, which is set for January 7, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida. But what exactly is TGL, who is playing, and how will the format and golf holes actually work? Allow us to explain.

How will TGL work?

Each week, a 15-hole match will take place on a giant simulator screen and robotic green, all housed within a purpose-built arena on the campus of Palm Beach State College in Palm Beach Gardens. The two competing teams will name three players to face off in a two-hour match, broken up into two sessions.

The first will consist of nine holes of triples, a three-man alternate shots format. This will be followed by six holes of one-on-one matchplay, where each player will rotate and play two holes each.

Any match ending in a tie will go into overtime, where players will take it in turns to hit shots into the 4K screen. The first team to win two ‘closest to the pin’ contests will be crowned the winner.

Each team will play five matches throughout the regular season, with the top-four teams advancing to the semi-final playoffs. A best-of-three Final Series on March 24-25 will then crown the winner of the inaugural SoFi Cup.

How are points awarded in TGL?

Similar to professional hockey, TGL will use a points-based system for regular season matches. One point is awarded for winning a hole, but there are no carryovers, and a tie is worth zero points.

Each team also has the option of using ‘the hammer’, which increases the value of a hole by one point when active. Possession of ‘the hammer’ changes each time it’s used, so there’s strategy involved in pressing home an advantage or putting an opponent under pressure.

A team win is worth two points, while an overtime loss still receives one point – a similar system to the NHL. A ‘regulation’ defeat earns zero points.

In the event of a tie at the end of the 15-week season, the tiebreaker will be decided by total holes won. That’s why all 15 holes will be played in every match, even if the winner is decided earlier.

Are the Rules of Golf different for TGL?

Fans of fast-paced golf will be pleased to know that Patrick Cantlay & Co will be given just 40 seconds to play their shot. Failure to do so will result in a ‘shot clock’ violation and a one-stroke penalty for the team.

A ref and booth official will also be on hand to enforce the rules and adjudicate on any timeouts, which is another new addition.

Each team will receive four timeouts per match with two per session and no rollovers. Timeouts can be called by any team member and must be before the shot clock expires for the team playing the shot, or before the player has addressed the ball for the opposing team.

Players will also have access to a touchscreen virtual caddie system, which means we can probably rule out a Joe LaCava and Rory reunion.

When will TGL take place?

The first three matches will take place on Tuesday nights (Wednesday mornings in the UK). The season will run in conjunction with the 2025 PGA Tour schedule and end just before the Masters in April. Unfortunately for UK viewers however, the first match won’t tee off until around 2am on January 7.

Full 2025 schedule

January 7 (Match 1)
New York GC vs The Bay GC

January 14 (Match 2)
Los Angeles GC vs Jupiter Links GC

January 21 (Match 3)
New York GC vs Atlanta Drive GC

January 27 (Match 4)
Jupiter Links GC vs Boston Common Golf

February 4 (Match 5)
Boston Common Golf vs Los Angeles GC

February 17 (Matches 6-8)
Atlanta Drive GC vs Los Angeles GC
Atlanta Drive GC vs The Bay GC
The Bay GC vs Boston Common Golf

February 18 (Match 9)
Jupiter Links GC vs New York GC

February 25 (Matches 10-12)
Los Angeles GC vs New York GC
Boston Common Golf vs Atlanta Drive GC
The Bay GC vs Jupiter Links GC

March 3 (Matches 13-15)
The Bay GC vs Los Angeles GC
New York GC vs Boston Common Golf
Jupiter Links GC vs Atlanta Drive GC

March 17-18
Semi-finals

March 24-25
Final series

Where will TGL be staged?

The matches will be broadcast live at prime time in front of a studio audience at the newly renovated and steel-supported SoFi Centre, a new 250,000 sq ft venue which has replaced the inflatable dome that collapsed in November 2023.

On match nights, 1,500 fans will be seated around TGL’s field of play, which is about the size of a football pitch. The players themselves will be mic’d up to provide audiences with unique, unsolicited access.

“For the fans, think sitting courtside at an NBA game,” explains McCarley. “It’s that type of environment. Music, player introductions. You’re right on top of the action as a fan. You see everything play out in front of you.

“To orient yourself from a golf standpoint, you see the drives and approach shots go into the screen. It’s a commercial-sized screen. Not quite the size of an IMAX screen, but pretty damned close. The ball will be placed in the short game area and the guys play out from there.”

Who is playing in TGL?

The 24-player roster for TGL’s inaugural season features 16 Ryder Cup stars and five former World No.1s. McIlroy and Tiger are the headline acts and will be joined by fellow Major champions Xander Schauffele Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Wyndham Clark, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose and Shane Lowry.

Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth and Viktor Hovland are among the big-name absentees.

Atlanta Drive Golf Club: Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Lucas Glover
Boston Common Golf: Rory McIlroy, Keegan Bradley, Adam Scott, Hideki Matsuyama
Los Angeles Golf Club: Colin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose
Jupiter Links Golf Club: Tiger Woods, Max Homa, Tom Kim, Kevin Kisner
New York Golf Club: Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele, Matt Fitzpatrick, Cameron Young
The Bay Golf Club: Ludvig Aberg, Wyndham Clark, Min Woo Lee, Shane Lowry

Are LIV players involved in TGL?

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton were originally part of the roster, but withdrew ahead of their departures from the PGA Tour. It means no LIV players are involved in the TGL, whose competition league format initially drew criticism and accusations of hypocrisy from the breakaway tour.

However, McIlroy and Tiger believe their unique format is exactly the type of innovation that the sport needs and offers a distinct contrast to current professional golf formats.

“You could make the argument that they haven’t innovated enough from what traditional golf is or they have innovated too much that they’re not traditional golf. They’re sort of cut in no man’s land whereas TGL is so far removed from what we know golf to be”, said McIlroy.

Tiger added: “Some of the stuff I’ve seen in LIV… I couldn’t figure out what the hell was going on. Here it’s very simple. TGL is a modern twist of traditional golf and ultimately will make the sport I love more accessible.”

Who are the TGL team owners?

The ownership groups read like a who’s who of the rich and powerful. The following is a brief breakdown of who’s heading up each team franchise.

Atlanta Drive Golf Club: led by Arthur M. Blank, AMB Sports and Entertainment (Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, PGA TOUR Superstores).

Boston Common Golf: led by John Henry, Tom Werner, and Fenway Sports Group (Boston Red Sox, Liverpool FC, Pittsburgh Penguins).

Jupiter Links Golf Club: led by Tiger Woods’ TGR Ventures and David Blitzer (Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, Cleveland Guardians, Washington Commanders, Crystal Palace FC, Real Salt Lake, Utah Royals, Joe Gibbs Racing).

Los Angeles Golf Club: led by Alexis Ohanian (Angel City FC), Seven Seven Six, Serena Williams, and Venus Williams; as well as limited partners the Antetokounmpo brothers, Alex Morgan, Servando Carrasco, and Michelle Wie West.

New York Golf Club: led by Steven A. Cohen (New York Mets), Cohen Private Ventures.

The Bay Golf Club: led by Avenue Sports Fund’s Marc Lasry, Stephen Curry, Andre Iguodala, and Klay Thompson.

What technology is behind TGL?

TGL announced Full Swing as their ‘Official Technology Partner’ tasked with delivering a fully immersive and interactive golf experience that brings TGL to life.

“When we started looking at the technology required to make TGL a reality, I knew that Full Swing would be the key company I’d be comfortable working with to provide the best experience for players and viewers,” said Tiger. 

“I’ve used Full Swing for almost 10 years now and they continually innovate to make the experience better across their entire product line that I use at home and on the range. This is why I trust Full Swing to help power a majority of TGL’s gameplay platform.”

Full Swing is already an official PGA Tour licensee and its simulator technology and launch monitors are used by several of the TGL’s participants, including Xander Schauffele, and Tiger himself. If you want to buy one yourself, prices start from $44,999 and $4,999 respectively.

Full Swing’s state-of-the-art simulators will power TGL’s virtual courses (more on those, later), which will displayed on a giant simulator screen measuring 64ft x 53ft. Players will then be tasked with hitting drives and approach shots from real grass that emulates tee boxes, fairways and rough, as well as real sand for fairway bunkers.

The size of the screen makes it possible for players to hit from much further away than when playing on a regular-sized simulator. This longer ball flight permits more data points to be measured, in turn providing a more accurate representation of the ball’s real-world trajectory, bounce, and finishing location.

The balls to be used in TGL will look, feel and play the same as pros are accustomed to. However, they have been constructed with specialist materials that make it easier for Full Swing’s radars to capture spin rate.

How will chipping and putting work in TGL?

For shots inside 50 yards, balls will be placed greenside and players will hit from a 22,475 sq ft short-game complex, referred to as the ‘GreenZone’.

This is bigger than four basketball courts and will feature the largest-ever adaptable putting green, propped up on a 41-yard-wide turntable that rotates the green 360 degrees to change approach angles. Underneath the synthetic putting surface, nearly 600 motorized actuators will dynamically alter slopes and gradients via the push of a button.

When players hit drives and approach shots into the simulator, the green complex will remain dormant, before lifting and rotating to conform to the course architects’ plan.

What courses and holes will be played in TGL?

An exciting element of TGL will undoubtedly be the removal of real-world barriers to golf course design, typically restricted by budgets, environmental issues, planning permissions, and availability of land.

A total of 30 virtual holes have been specially created by Beau Welling Design, Nicklaus Design and Pizá Golf, in collaboration with TGL and Full Swing.

For each TGL match, 15 of the 30 holes will be chosen by the TGL competition committee and feature a variety of authentic settings, including links, canyons, coastal, desert, and tropical landscapes. They’ve already offered us a sneak peek by releasing six examples of the holes which will be used.

Quick Draw
Par 5 | 720 / 538 yards
This desert-style par 5 might be the ultimate risk-reward hole in TGL. Teams have a choice off the tee, play it safe to a generous fairway on the left or cut the angle and go big to a dramatic plateau rising from the canyon floor. The daring approach brings plenty of risk, but a successful shot puts teams in prime position to attack the green in two.

Craic On
Par 3 | 175 yards
This links-style par 3 takes its inspiration from the hillocks and hollows of traditional linksland, with an exposed terrain and backdrop of rolling hills. As one of the shorter par 3s in TGL there will be the temptation to take it on, but wind will be its defense.

Bluebonnet
Par 4 | 450 / 343 yards
Welcome to Texas Hill Country. Depending on the tee box, Bluebonnet either plays as a risk-reward drivable par 4 or a challenging long par 4. Playing the long par 4, teams will need to decide how much of the canyon to try and bite off. Those who challenge the canyon edge will be rewarded with a shorter approach on a more receptive angle to this elevated green. Any slight miscalculation here will be very penal.

Standing on the tee of the short par 4, teams will again have to make a decision. A successful bold carry over the canyon will find a slope that feeds shots towards the green. More conservative play out to the left will still require precision to find the shallow fairway and a delicate pitch up the hill to the green over the front bunker.

Cliffhanger
Par 3 | 251 yards
This par 3 plays over an ocean cove to a green set back in the rocks and cypress trees of the Northern California coastline. Cliffhanger is intended to play as a very long par 3, but it can also be played from various distances. As the hole shortens in length, the angles into the green increase in difficulty. No matter which tee is selected, strong ocean winds from the right will make it a challenge.

The Plank
Par 4 | 380 yards
One of Agustin Pizá’s favorite holes. Teams will need to walk The Plank as they navigate this uphill hole with tricky diagonal bunkering. For this short 380-yard par 4, it could be tempting for teams to go for the driver, but three pot bunkers narrow the landing area adding risk to the aggressive play. If less than a driver is chosen off the tee, a well-placed tee shot still leaves a short approach and great chance at birdie.

Serpent
Par 5 | 603 yards
This par 5 snakes its way from tee to green, with penalty areas squeezing both sides the entire length of the hole. Getting home in two is in play but likely requires a gutsy blind shot into the green. With water protecting the front, the safer alternative is to play Serpent in three.

What will players be paid in TGL?

McCarley has confirmed that $21 million will be on the line, with $9 million going to the winning team. Tiger also expects to see plenty of money changing hands between holes.

“We’re just going to basically hit balls, talk a lot of (trash) and people are going to be gambling on absolutely everything, each and every shot. Every shot there’s going to be a wager.”

What are the players saying about TGL?

Tiger Woods: “Having the opportunity to not only compete but also own a team to represent Jupiter is an exciting next chapter for me. I expect Jupiter Links GC to showcase the golf culture of my hometown as we compete against the best players in the world.

“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.”

Tommy Fleetwood: “I have been excited about the TGL since it was announced. Many of my fondest memories in golf have been playing in team competitions. With the players who have already been announced along with the names and stature of the ownership groups and investors, the league is in a position to showcase our sport in a cool format to a new group of viewers and fans.”

Patrick Cantlay: “The more I talked to the other players involved in TGL, the more I wanted to be a part of the competition. This is a great opportunity to move golf forward providing something for our core fans while also showcasing our sport in a new, tech-forward, prime time, and more digestible format.”

Shane Lowry: “Everything I’ve heard about TGL is really intriguing. Between Ryder Cups and World Cups, I’ve always enjoyed playing with a partner or for a team. It’s great to see golf being creative and trying new things. I imagine this will be a lot of fun.”

Tom Kim: “I’m a firm believer that TGL is going to be an incredible opportunity to reach a younger generation and fans in Korea, specifically. The mix of technology and competition is exactly what friends my age are interested in consuming. To join an incredible list of top players, many of whom I have watched myself as a fan, is a dream come true.” 

Rickie Fowler: “I love the idea of inviting fans to watch golf within an environment that is very similar to other primetime professional sports. Innovative approaches like this will broaden the appeal of golf, not just provide traditional fans an opportunity to see the sports’ biggest stars compete in primetime, but a modern presentation that broadens golf’s fanbase – especially with younger fans.”

Is the PGA Tour supportive of TGL?

The PGA Tour was quick to endorse TGL, with Tiger’s involvement no doubt critical. The PGA owns an 18 percent ownership stake and unlike LIV Golf, TGL has never been viewed as a rival golf tour.

Who is TMRW Sports and who has invested?

Pronounced ‘tomorrow sports’, TMRW Sports was co-founded in 2022 by Tiger, Rory and veteran sports executive Mike McCarley as a means to build progressive approaches in sports, media, and entertainment.

The not-so-catchy TGL is the first in a series of tech-infused ventures designed to create new pathways for the next generation to enjoy sports.

Their all-star roster of investors includes Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris,  Andy Murray, Serena Williams, Steph Curry, Tony Romo, Gareth Bale and Justin Timberlake.

Other members of the investor group combine to add 113 Formula 1 wins, 40 Emmy Awards, 32 NBA All-Star Games, 16 NFL Pro Bowls, 26 Grand Slam singles titles, 21 Olympic medals, eight MVP titles across four sports, ten Grammy Awards, eight NBA Championships, seven F1 World Championships, five UEFA Champions League titles, three Stanley Cups, three MLB All-Star Games, three WNBA Championships, two FIFA Women’s World Cups, and a World Series champion.

“Over the past year, we’ve assembled a team of investors who will help deliver on the TMRW Sports’ mission to positively impact how sports are experienced in the future,” said McCarley. “And we’ve been intentional about the diversity of expertise, thought, and backgrounds as we mobilized this strategic group.

“From the very beginning, our plan has been to partner with the best-in-class in every way imaginable, and Tiger, Rory, and I value the support of this unrivaled team of investors, advisors, and ambassadors who believe in our vision to harness technology to create progressive approaches to sports.

Their combined broad reach and cultural relevance will expand potential opportunities and fanbases for TMRW projects. Plus, many share a passion for golf that only adds more fuel to TGL, our first project in partnership with the PGA Tour.”

How did the concept of TGL develop?

McCarley had been wondering since 2019 whether a virtual format of golf could provide a solution to the inefficient production costs associated with wiring a golf course for TV.

In a wide-ranging interview with Wired.com, McCarley explained how he envisioned helping the sport engage new fans with teams of elite golfers playing head-to-head with no need for producers to choose which shots to show live or have to cut back and forth between different holes.

He said: “This scenario approaches golf like other sports, where you can see everything happening in front of you in a stadium-like environment.”

The ‘live or die’ moment for TGL was in January 2021 when McCarley went to Jupiter, Florida to share the idea with golf’s most influential person, Tiger Woods.

Woods, who himself has invested in simulated entertainment through his T-Squared Social venture with Justin Timberlake, was quick on the uptake and promised to commit providing McCarley was all in too.

The final piece to the puzzle was securing the support of Rory McIlroy who was already an advocate for golf moving with the times. McIlroy said: “I loved it. I’ve always said that golf must try to embrace the 21st century.”

With Woods and McIlroy signed on as partners, McCarley parted ways with his NBC employers, launched the TMRW Sports Group, and began fundraising for the venture.

How can I watch TGL?

If you live in the USA, then TGL will be broadcast live on ESPN or ESPN2, and via ESPN+. Ahead of the first match, ABC will also air a launch show previewing the TGL season. There are plans to show TGL in the United Kingdom and across Europe, but details are yet to be announced.

“We believe ESPN is the right home for TGL and recognize the strategic benefits of Disney’s portfolio, CEO of TGL Mike McCarley said.

He added: “ESPN is often the first stop for sports fans, no matter the platform, and are honored by ESPN’s view that TGL complements their current offering of major league sports.”

If you want to watch live, 1,500 to 2,000 people will be inside the studio each week to see the action unfold with details of how to get tickets yet to be revealed.

How can I buy tickets to watch TGL?

Fans are now being invited to sign up for the ticket presale, which will commence on October 28. The public sale begins a day later, at 10am (ET), with prices starting from $160. To register your interest, click here.

About the author

Michael Catling – Features Editor

Michael Catling is an award-winning journalist who specializes in golf’s Majors and Tours, including DP World, PGA, LPGA, and LIV.

Michael joined Today’s Golfer in 2016 and has traveled the world to attend the game’s biggest events and secure exclusive interviews with the game’s biggest names, including Jack Nicklaus, Jordan Spieth, Tom Watson, Greg Norman, Gary Player, Martin Slumbers and Justin Thomas.

Get in touch with Michael via email and follow him on X.