As we brace for the much-anticipated finals of the Tiger Woods Golf League (TGL), an unexpected turn of events unfolded hours before the crucial second semi-final. If you missed the action, the first semi-final saw the New York Golf Club secure an impressive 6-4 victory over the Los Angeles Golf Club, becoming the first team to qualify for the finals.
The thrill of the tournament was set to continue with the second semi-final, scheduled for a 7 PM (ET) start. Atlanta Drive GC was to go head-to-head with The Bay Golf Club, featuring star golfers like Justin Thomas, Billy Horschel, and Patrick Cantlay, who were set to compete against Shane Lowry, Wyndham Clark, and Ludvig Aberg. However, the latest updates have altered the complexion of this match.
Recent reports from The Bay Golf and TGL confirm that Min Woo Lee will be stepping in for Wyndham Clark in The Bay Golf Club’s lineup. This change is due to a neck injury that compelled Clark, the world’s number 8, to withdraw from The PLAYERS Championship. Clark has remained silent since, but Min Woo Lee took to Instagram to wish the star golfer a speedy recovery.
In light of this change, the second semi-final will now see Justin Thomas taking on Shane Lowry in the first hole, followed by Billy Horschel competing against Min Woo Lee on the second hole. The exciting lineup concludes with Patrick Cantlay and Ludvig Aberg vying on the third hole.
There is no need for alarm, however, as Min Woo Lee’s recent performance indicates that he could be a significant addition to The Bay Golf Club. The 26-year-old golfer finished with scores of 67-66-78-73 and secured a T20 position at the recently concluded The PLAYERS Championship!
Meanwhile, the TGL, initiated by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, continues to grow. The league launched to an impressive viewership of one million, and while numbers have fluctuated, it still boasts an average of 502,000 viewers per telecast. This exceeds ESPN’s pre-launch expectations and demonstrates the league’s success, even in Woods’ absence.
As the TGL heads into the finals, it welcomes a host of new partners, including AG1, Hard Rock Bet, and Mastercard. Other collaborators include Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Stanley 1913, and Verizon. These new partners will feature in live broadcasts, joining existing contributors such as SoFi, Genesis, Best Buy, and Businessolver.
The TGL’s chief revenue officer, Jason Langwell, attributes this success to the fans’ response. He notes that the TGL, with its innovative platform for prime-time, team golf, has drawn one of the youngest audiences in all sports. Its median viewer age is 51.4 years, significantly younger than the Tour’s and LIV’s average of 63 years.
As the TGL continues to evolve, what does its future hold? And more importantly, who will emerge victorious in the upcoming games? Don’t miss the action, and let us know your predictions!
