TOMORROW has come for golf as the TGL or ‘Tomorrow’s Golf League’ finally teed off overnight in Florida.
Opening night at the purpose-built venue for what is a newfangled virtual tournament had been delayed by over a year due to storm damage in November 2023.
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A general view of New York Golf Club and The Bay Golf Club players on the greenCredit: Getty
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A view of what participants face into in the initial shots of every holeCredit: X @TGL
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Lowry and fellow Ryder Cup hero Ludvig Åberg were the best players on the nightCredit: @shanelowrygolf
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Wendy (second from left) pictured beside Åberg’s girlfriend Olivia Peet and Katherine Fitzpatrick, wife of 2022 US Open winner MattCredit: @wendyirislowry
But what’s been dubbed as the future of the sport officially arrived with Shane Lowry front and centre as he took the night’s opening tee shot.
TGL is based around team play á la the Ryder Cup in a bid to foster more of an atmosphere around events than is typically associated with golf’s traditionally buttoned-down backdrop.
He uncorked his drive as a baying crowd revelled in the more boisterous vibe while Guns N’ Roses rock classic ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ blared out around the SoFi Center.
As for the action itself, the Offaly native and teammates Ludvig Åberg and Wyndham Clark made light work of Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler and Matt Fitzpatrick.
Over 15 holes at the 1500 seater arena, Lowry and the rest of the Bay Golf Club secured a 9-2 victory over their New York Golf Club counterparts.
Afterwards he admitted: “It’s quite an intimidating place to play golf because it’s somewhere we’re not used to.”
TGL combines virtual golf with the real deal as competitors aim their tee and approach shots at a 60 foot screen which mimics whichever course they’re ‘playing’.
The greens are set up right in front of them though so there is still a fair share of more classic in-person play.
Other seismic changes to take note of are that there is a 40-second shot clock in place as well as fans being encouraged to make noise rather than being dissuaded to do so by course officials.
It’s all seen as an effort to modernise the sport to make it a more appealing TV product – in addition to being a direct response to the sweeping alterations LIV Golf has brought about in its events.
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Lowry reflected on it as a playing experience afterwards.
He noted: “It all happens quite quickly when you’re out there because it’s loud and you’re not kind of used to that.
“But yeah, I enjoyed it. I had an amazing two hours this evening. It’s a lot of fun out there and something we’re not used to. But it was good.”
“I’m about to set off into my 17th year as a pro or 17th season.
“And I think some weeks can be like monotonous and tough when it gets to that, but this is just something different and something fun,”
“I love the big weeks and I love playing in front of big crowds, and I really struggle to get up for certain events when the crowd is not so big and the energy is not there.
“But the energy is going to be here every night we play, and I’m really looking forward to that.”
Both Woods and McIlroy were in the house but only in a watching capacity as their teams don’t play their first match until next week.
The 15-time major champ said of the sport’s new dawn: “I’m excited to do this. This is a dream come true to build something like this and get to be a part of it.
January 27 will see Woods’ Jupiter team square off against McIlroy and his Boston Common peers.
For his part, McIlroy added: “Can’t wait to get started in a few weeks times.
“There’s been a lot of work put into it and we’re hoping to try to make the playoffs and make a run at it and win this thing in the first season.”
