The TGL has positive momentum as it moves into the second half of its inaugural season.
The simulator golf league, co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, is still working out some of the kinks but has a roster of 24 of the world’s best golfers and a ton of potential. However, there are a few marquee faces missing from the TGL roster, with Jordan Spieth headlining those not signed up for the venture.
TGL would seem to be a great fit for the entertaining and engaging Spieth, but the three-time major champion didn’t think it was feasible for him to join the new league due to his two young kids and the fact that he lives in Dallas and not around the corner from the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
“I’ve talked with those guys from the very beginning,” Spieth told Smylie Kauffman on the latest episode of “The Smylie Show.” “Just where I’m at in life with my two young kids, and I live in Dallas, it just isn’t a great time right now, given when it is in our schedule. You’re seeing most of those guys shoot back. But most of those guys either live there or live close to there or don’t have multiple kids under four years old. So little different place in life right now.
“But certainly, the Tiger vs. Rory [match] was pretty exciting to the end, and from what I’m hearing, [the Presidents Day triple-header] was, too. The concept is pretty cool. I’m having a different demographic ask me about it at the course than your typical network consumers of a PGA Tour event on the weekend. They seem to be accessing what they are trying to access which is great if it is another way to grow the game.”
TGL’s triple-header was electric. Can it maintain the momentum?
TGL unveiled a new wrinkle this week when Los Angeles Golf Club signed Tony Finau to a one-match contract due to Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood having prior engagements.
That’s an option that has been floated to Spieth and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who is also not signed up for TGL, but that doesn’t solve Spieth logistical issue.
“I’ve been asked by a couple players now to sub in,” Spieth said. “Still seeing that as an issue for my scheduling purposes here. I’ve been there when Scottie has been asked and it’s the it’s the same sort of situation. Throw one of these venues in Dallas and we might have a better chance of joining. Maybe down the road.”
Spieth said a Dallas team would consist of himself, Scheffler, Will Zalatoris and Tom Kim. Kim currently plays for Jupiter Links along with Tiger Woods, Max Homa and Kevin Kisner.
TGL has shown itself to be nimble during its inaugural season, and there’s reason to expect bigger changes once the opening year concludes. That could include new franchises, new players, and players changing teams. Mike McCarley, the co-founder of TMRW Sports along with Woods and McIlroy, has already hinted that expansion to new venues could be in the cards.
If TGL eyes expansion after its first season, adding Spieth and Scheffler should be at the top of the priority list. But it might be a few years before everything aligns and Spieth joins TGL.