Tiger Woods was present for the opening night of TGL golf (Image: TGL Golf via Getty Images)
Tiger Woods once again demonstrated his remarkable precision during the launch of his high-tech golf league, TGL, even though he wasn’t even plying.
The golf legend joined forces with Rory McIlroy to introduce a new competition in TGL which is a modern twist on traditional golf that takes place indoors and utilises a massive golf simulator.
The league comprises 24 PGA Tour players divided into six teams: Atlanta Drive GC, Boston Common Golf, New York Golf Club, The Bay Golf Club, Jupiter Links GC, and LAGC.
In the inaugural match, New York Golf Club’s Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler, and Matt Fitzpatrick faced off against The Bay Golf Club’s Wyndham Clark, Shane Lowry, and Ludvig Aberg.
Although Woods wasn’t competing, the 15-time major champion stole the limelight with an extraordinary display of skill before the event began.
He recounted to McIlroy how he spectacularly hit a TGL camera while practising, having been challenged by a member of the camera crew.
Challenge accepted.
— TGL (@TGL)
The 49-year-old stepped up to the 60-foot screen and hit the small camera on his first attempt – a feat confirmed by video evidence.
After a challenging 2024 season due to health issues and poor form, Woods has been granted a ‘Lifetime Achievement exemption category’ by the PGA Tour.
This was specifically created to ensure the American can participate in signature events despite his reduced schedule at this stage of his career.
However, Woods is set to compete in his TGL as a member of Jupiter Links, with five scheduled appearances this season alongside team-mates Max Homa, Tom Kim, and Kevin Kisner.
Three of these players will compete in Jupiter Links’ first match against Los Angeles Golf Club, which includes Sahith Theegala, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, and Collin Morikawa.
Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods stand on the green as they watch New York Golf Club and The Bay Golf Club warm up (Image: AP)
In TGL, the team that wins each hole earns one point, and the team with the most points wins the 15-hole match.
Each match is divided into two sessions: a ‘triples’ nine-hole three vs three foursomes match, and a ‘singles’ one-on-one clash over six holes, with each player playing two holes.
If matches are tied in regulation play, overtime is played with a penalty shootout-style challenge where a team must hit two shots closer to the hole than their rivals to win.
Teams earn two points for a win and no points for a loss in regular play. An overtime loss earns a team one point.
After a gruelling 15-week season, the top four teams in the league will battle it out in the playoffs for the title. The first TGL champion will then be crowned in a thrilling best-of-three finals.
Woods’ Jupiter Links are set to face off against LAGC on Tuesday January 14.