Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's new tech-infused TGL featuring some of the game's biggest PGA Tour stars will be delayed until 2025.
TGL was supposed to be starting up on January 9, 2024, but that is no longer the case after the league's stadium roof at SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, collapsed as a result of a power failure, according to officials.
The incident happened on November 14, 2023, and thankfully nobody was injured.
According to reports, it was not possible to push TGL back just a couple of weeks or even months in 2024 due to ESPN not being able to adjust to the shift in the schedule.
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's TGL to be delayed until 2025
An official statement from TGL read:
"Overnight on Tuesday, November 14, a failure of the temporary power system and backup system used during construction caused the dome to deflate, which caused damage to the air-supported dome section of the site. There were no injuries, and most of the technology was not impacted. Following discussions with key partners, including players, our six team owernship groups, PGA Tour leadership and our commercial partners, SoFi, ESPN and Palm Beach State College, the decision has been made to postpone the start of the TGL season until early 2025. This decision came after reviewing short-term solutions, potential construction timelines, player schedules, and the primetime sports television calendar. Despite this new timeline for the venue, we remain excited about the future of TGL and will continue to build excitement between now and the start of the season with our players, fans and teams. We have begun to update plans and timelines and are confident that the extension will only improve our delivery."
Both Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have since responded to learning TGL will not start until 2025.
Woods said in a statement:
"I've been a believer in TGL and as the momentum has built this past year, I'm even more excited about what this can become for fans of the game all around the world. Although the events of last week will force us to make adjustments to our timelines, I'm fully confident that this concept will be brought to life by our great committed players."
McIlroy added:
"The postponement brings mixed feelings of disappointment and excitement. Above all, we are happy that no one was injured. We are looking forward to the launch of the TGL. Given the circumstances, while the delay is disappointing, the postponement will allow us to regroup, refocus and return stronger."
What is the TGL?
The TGL is a new tech-inspired golf league that has been launched in partnership with the PGA Tour to provide golf fans with a new way to watch the game they love.
Devised by Woods and McIlroy, the new league will take place in a state-of-the-art purpose-built facility, giving up to 2,000 fans the chance to spectate up close and personal thanks to a huge virtual simulator and short-game complex.
The league will give golf fans the opportunity to watch the best players in the world compete against each other in a team-based format that promises to be a "high-tech, high-energy fan experience."
The league was established in 2022 and revealed alongside a number of additional incentives to persuade the best players in the world to remain on the PGA Tour.
TGL is the next evolution within professional golf. I'm excited to help lead it into the future. https://t.co/0hIHKX5Ic3
It still remains unclear exactly what the format will be for TGL. However, the official TGL website has described it as 'modern match-play.'
Each match will feature three players representing their respective teams in a head-to-head match lasting two hours.
During each match, the players will be mic'd up, an addition that McIlroy has said will hopefully provide added entertainment for the fans. When discussing the formats, McIlroy also hinted that fans could look forward to seeing something new.
He said:
"We're going to be able to say some stuff we wouldn't normally say. It's hopefully entertaining for fans and with some new formats they haven't seen."
When is it?
The TGL season was set to kick off in January 2024, with the first game slated to start on January 9th at 9 p.m. ET in the United States.
But that has all changed as a result of the TGL's stadium roof collapsing on November 14, 2023.
It is understood that TGL will now be delayed until 2025.
The season will consist of 15 regular season games followed by a semifinal and a final.
Tiger and Rory
Which golfers are taking part?
As things stand, 23 players have officially signed up to take part in the TGL. The star-studded roster has a combined 223 PGA Tour wins, 32 major wins and 886 weeks at No.1. Headlined by the founders Woods and McIlroy, the roster is packed full of a whole host of the most exciting players in the world.
Jon Rahm was initially in the line up but he has recently decided to withdraw from the league.
The centre boasts a giant simulator screen that measures 64 feet high by 46 feet across, roughly 20 times the size of a standard simulator screen.
The screen will be powered by Full Swing technology, and alongside it, the centre will also have a short-game area that includes three sand bunkers and three individual 15 feet x 27 feet virtual greens within a massive 3,800 square-foot putting surface.
How can you watch it?
TGL is set to be broadcast in the United States on ESPN and ESPN's streaming service ESPN+.
Broadcasting rights in the UK are yet to be announced.
