Tiger Woods’ recent foray into the TGL, or The Golf League, has garnered significant attention, with the golfing legend lauding this new venture as a pioneering initiative for the sport. In the aftermath of his team’s match, Woods was vociferous in his praise of the league’s ability to bring golf into the primetime spotlight. He emphasized the novelty of the late-night matches, which run from 9:00 to 11:00, as a groundbreaking departure from the sport’s conventional daylight schedule.
However, it seems Tiger Woods may have overlooked a crucial detail: LIV Golf has already ventured into this territory, and they did it months ago. LIV Golf took the sport into the night, outdoors, on an actual course during their event in Riyadh. The entire tournament was bathed in the glow of more than 1,000 massive stadium lights. Jon Rahm, one of LIV’s marquee stars, encapsulated the essence of LIV Golf, highlighting its innovative approach and commitment to delivering a fresh product to consumers.
In a recent video on Fried Egg Golf’s official YouTube channel, Brendan Porath provided an intriguing analysis of the early days of TGL. He discussed the league’s deal with ESPN, a two-year contract worth $10 million, and suggested it was a good arrangement for all parties involved. However, he also underscored the reliance TGL has on ESPN for providing a platform, maybe even more than its rights fee.
Porath went on to compare TGL’s revenue generation with that of LIV Golf, revealing that LIV’s entire 2023 season pulled in around $5 million. This contrast underscores the challenges TGL faces in generating revenue. While the league is receiving a significant push from ESPN, it still has a long way to go in terms of revenue generation. Regardless, TGL is persisting, backed by substantial sponsorships and corporate support.
Meanwhile, under the stewardship of Greg Norman, LIV Golf is making quiet but significant strides. The league is demonstrating that being innovative isn’t just about being first, but also about the courage to shatter conventional norms. If LIV Golf’s progress is indicative of anything, it’s that the last laugh might well be on their side.
The similarities between TGL and LIV Golf are also worth noting. Despite the competitive rhetoric, the two leagues share more commonalities than they would likely admit. Brooks Koepka, one of LIV’s star players, underscored this during an unexpected visit to a TGL match, followed by an interview on The Joe Pomp Show. He emphasized that both leagues are responding to the same challenge: the need for golf to evolve.
In conclusion, it’s clear that both TGL and LIV Golf are playing pivotal roles in the evolution of golf. While Tiger Woods may claim credit for night golf and LIV may tout itself as the sport’s biggest disruptor, the truth is that both leagues are instrumental in reshaping the game for modern audiences. Whether they acknowledge it or not.
