TGL Outlook: WEEK 5

The inaugural season of the TGL (Tomorrow’s Golf League) continues tonight with Week 5 action between LA Golf Club and Boston Common. Now that we’ve gotten a feel for how this league works, it’s time for a breakdown.

Tiger Woods celebrates with Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner after their playoff victory in Week 4.

For those unfamiliar, TGL is a digital golf league spearheaded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. The action takes place in a cutting-edge arena called the SoFi Center, where six teams representing six cities go head-to-head in weekly matchups. Think simulator golf—but elevated in a way that makes it far more entertaining than you’d expect.

For starters, players hit their shots off real grass into a massive simulator screen positioned 20 to 35 yards away, depending on the shot’s distance. This setup makes it easier to visualize the trajectory, adding a layer of realism that’s often missing from simulator golf. When it’s time to chip and putt, players head to a short game area with a green that rotates and shifts in undulation to mimic the layout of the hole they’re playing. Honestly, this is the coolest part of the league—this type of tech hasn't really been seen before in the golf world.

Another nice touch is that the players are mic’d up. This gives fans an inside look at their thought process, shot strategy, personality. It’s a fun way to show who these guys really are when we typically see them in more serious settings. Overall, it’s a fresh way to connect with the players and make the experience more engaging.

So, how’s it doing so far? In Week 4, the league finally got what it has been looking for. After three straight weeks of pretty uncompetitive golf, Tiger and Jupiter Links took down Rory and Boston Common in a thrilling playoff. There was high energy all match, friendly banter, and great competition, which can’t be made up for in other ways. The match averaged 864,000 viewers, which is less than weeks 1 and 2, but a significant bounce back from the lackluster Week 3. Overall, TGL is doing 33% better than college basketball in similar time windows.

With the golf season ramping up, football winding down, and hopefully more consistently competitive matches, TGL should be in a good spot to continue growth.

Personally, I think it’s worth the two-hour watch for a Monday or Tuesday night.