TGL Golf League Debuts Tonight: Will Sports Bettors Buy In?
The TGL, a tech-infused indoor golf simulator league founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, debuts tonight at 9 p.m. EST on ESPN from the SoFi Center in South Florida.
Indoor golf arena with LED lighting
The opening match features New York Golf Club (Schauffele, Fitzpatrick, Fowler) against The Bay Golf Club (Aberg, Clark, Lowry). The league consists of six teams playing five matches in a round-robin format, with the top four advancing to playoffs in March.
The innovative format includes:
- A five-story-high simulator screen
- 30 original holes designed by top companies including Nicklaus Design
- Real grass fairways and Augusta National-grade bunker sand
- A dynamic "Green Zone" for shots within 35 yards
- Two-hour matches with players mic'd up
- 15-hole matches split between Triples (9 holes) and Singles (6 holes)
Notable investors include Lewis Hamilton, Shohei Ohtani, and Josh Allen, while team owners feature prominent figures like Steve Cohen and the Williams sisters.
Sports betting action has been minimal so far, with most sportsbooks offering basic markets. DraftKings lists New York Golf Club at -125 and Bay Golf Club at +100 for tonight's opener.
Industry experts believe Tiger Woods' involvement could significantly boost betting interest, potentially increasing handle by 4-5 times. The Monday night time slot, avoiding competition with traditional weekend golf, may help attract viewers and bettors.
The league aims to attract younger audiences to golf through its technology-driven, fast-paced format. While initial betting activity is low, operators expect interest to grow as awareness increases and in-play betting options develop.
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