Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods reaped the financial rewards of TGL, with the duo banking a hefty wedge following its inaugural season. The golfing duo were the brains behind the innovative competition designed to help “bring golf into the 21st century”.
Atlanta Drive GC were crowned the first-ever champions of TGL, defeating New York Golf Club in its Finals Series to take the SoFi Cup. The winning team consisted of golf stars Billy Horschel, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay, who defeated an equally star-studded outfit of Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler and Cameron Young.
Lucas Glover completed the quartet, who were rewarded for their winning efforts with a whopping £6.95million ($9million) to be shared among the four of them. Second-place New York didn’t miss out though, as they took a total prize pot of £3.48m ($4.5m) home, with Matt Fitzpatrick making up the fourth member of their team.
Woods and McIlroy, who competed in the tournament themselves, didn’t go home empty-handed though. Woods’ quartet finished fifth in the overall standings, with Woods banking £338,883 ($437,500) from his team’s cut, whereas the recently-crowned Players Champion McIlroy earned £290,606 ($375,000) for his exploits in TGL. Not bad for a couple of weeks’ work, ey?
The concept itself has split opinion, with some golf purists not sold on the hybrid simulation approach. However, Horschel, who made up part of the winning Atlanta team, admitted he enjoyed taking part in the tournament. He said: “I think we all have had a lot of fun.
“Obviously it is a little bit of a challenge with everything we’ve got going through the year with our own schedules, but I don’t think anyone has ever walked away and said this felt like a burden. It’s just something new and exciting and we all enjoyed it. To walk away as champions with these guys is pretty cool.”
Similarly, Phil Mickleson – who was banned from competing in TGL because of his LIV allegiance – was also impressed by the new tournament. He mused: “It would be great for golf if this were to succeed.
“The golf fan is the most loyal fan in sports. Buy a ticket, walk miles and see a fraction of the action, but this could allow the golf fan to buy a ticket, sit down and watch of the action just like other sports. It could really be good for the game if it’s compelling.”
