TGL Teases Off Tonight: Do Bettors Care?

Posted: January 7, 2025, 05:26 pm.

Last updated: 7 January 2025, 05:37 PM.

The media rights holders are putting their share of oxygen into TGL, the tech-powered indoor golf simulator league that is scheduled to begin tonight (9 p.m., ESPN) at the SoFi Center in South Florida.

tiger woods competition

Yes, some big names are involved – TGL was founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroyRickie Fowler, Justin Thomas, Keegan Bradley, Tommy Fleetwood and Collin Morikawa are some of the other names. This will be the first time Woods has included a club in a competition.

Tonight New York Golf Club (with Xander Schauffele, Matt Fitzpatrick, Rickie Fowler, Cameron Young) takes on The Bay Golf Club (with Ludwig Aberg, Windham Clark, Shane Lowry, Min Woo Lee).

But will sports bettors care?

The golf gimmick has been growing in popularity since the launch of LIV Golf in 2022, with many of the biggest names in pro golf leaving the PGA Tour to go there.

The survivors on the PGA Tour are doing something to combat this pressure. The TGL features six teams playing five matches in a round-robin league format. The top four teams earn a place in the playoffs. The postseason begins with single-match elimination semifinals on March 17 and 18, then a best-of-three championship series on March 24 and 25.

Ohtani, Alan, Hamilton Investors

The SoFi Center has capacity to seat 1,500 fans around the playing area, so we'll see how many turn up live. In addition to Woods and McIlroy, Lewis Hamilton, Shohei Ohtani and Josh Allen invested in TGL. Team owners include the New York Mets' Steve Cohen (New York Golf Club), Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams and Venus Williams (Los Angeles Golf Club) and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank (Atlanta Drive GC).

Players will hit a five-story high simulator screen. Three golf design companies, including Nicklaus Design, created 30 original holes for the league – valley, coastal holes, links, tropical settings. The fairways and rough are made of real grass. The bunker sand is the same that is used for the Masters at Augusta National.

Players within 35 yards of the pin enter the green zone – a chipping and putting area with a green that changes in shape depending on the virtual hole being played. There are no caddies and players on the clock during the round. Players will also be monitored through mics throughout the round. The matches come at 2 o'clock.

Will live betting increase interest?

With the match format, teams play 15 holes over two sessions – triples will be 9 holes and head-to-head singles will be 6 holes. Each hole is worth 1 point and the team with the fewest shots wins the point. Ties are worth 0 points and have no carryover. The team with the most points after 15 holes wins the match. If there is a tie, overtime occurs – a 3-vs-3 closest to the pin contest.

Its aim is to bring young people towards golf. Most sports books are offering markets on this event.

Sportsbooks Think Woods Will Move the Needle

,We've seen very little action so far in the early TGL matchesBetVictor trader Glenn Hislop said. “We can't split them in betting and currently both sides are -110. We have a selection of other markets available such as: Win 1st hole, Team to make 1st Bridie, Lead after 3 holes, Team to win Triple.

I don't think simulator golf has taken over the golf world. I have been playing all my life. I always prefer playing on a course or practicing on a range rather than going on a simulator, so it will be interesting to see if the betting numbers increase as the season progresses. But there has been little action to report so far for the opening match.”

The fact that Woods is involved (he's at Jupiter Links Golf Club with Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner) should move the needle, one might think.

start tonight

“Unlike any other in the game, When he joins you will be expected to easily raise the handle 4-5 times”said Philip Gray, iGaming consultant and former head of trading operations. “What's great is that he still has that influence. The pre-match offerings look thin and basic, with match winners, 3-6-9 holes and a post-season lead.

I would definitely hope for in-play markets to be offered. Again, looking at the format it would be a bit difficult to determine the price. The key to gaining control will be what duration events will be offered and what delay the wagering will have; Customers are able to place bets at prices without any changes. I imagine there will be a bit of a curve for providers offering in-play, but if there's enough interest, they'll put resources into making it attractive.

,This is tiger. If he's there, they'll bet. Starting on Monday without Monday Night Football was a wise move. I also like the start time. Certainly, there's a better chance without missing the weekend afternoon, which is golf's traditional time. I will keep watching. It feels like it could be so different, and the graphics look amazing.”

betting action minimum

A trader at PointsBet Canada said: “It seems like betting action is minimal right now. We hope it will pick up pace once people become more aware.”

DraftKings money line for tonight: New York Golf Club -125, Bay Golf Club +100.