PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — In a historic moment, Ludvig Aberg marked the inaugural birdie in the TGL, making his name part of trivia lore as the new indoor golf league set in motion by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy commenced its first match.
The debut event transpired on Tuesday night, featuring a face-off between the New York Golf Club’s Rickie Fowler, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Xander Schauffele against The Bay Golf Club’s Shane Lowry, Wyndham Clark, and Aberg. The match covered 15 holes and concluded in just under two hours, aligning perfectly with TGL’s vision for fast-paced gameplay. The final outcome saw The Bay Golf Club triumph with a score of 9-2 over their New York rivals.
Reflecting on the experience, Lowry expressed his enjoyment, teasing his fellow competitor Clark about their previous rivalry as members of the European Ryder Cup team, which had bested the Americans in 2023. The camaraderie and competitiveness fostered a lively atmosphere, with friendly banter seamlessly interwoven among teammates.
The action kicked off with Lowry hitting the first shot at 9:15 p.m., and merely four minutes later, Aberg made history by sinking a 9-foot putt, securing the first point in TGL. “This was just a dream conjured up,” stated Woods during a broadcast on ESPN, marveling at how their envisaged project had come to life and elevated the game of golf.
Woods and McIlroy, crucial figures behind TGL’s inception, were present to witness the debut, alongside DJ Khaled, who entertained the crowd with his swing while players prepared for the match. The venue—a sprawling 250,000-square-foot complex at Palm Beach State College—features a combination of advanced technology. Players took shots on a mix of real grass and turf, with bunkers filled with sand sourced from Augusta National Golf Club, the same sand Woods uses at his home.
The engaging atmosphere had fans cheering and, on occasion, booing playfully, especially after Schauffele’s less-than-stellar chip shot, causing him to self-deprecate and suggest he would have booed himself too. The scenario provided an entertaining spectacle, with Lowry contributing humor throughout the competition, referring to himself as the “Scottie Scheffler of indoor golf.”
As the match concluded on a 729-yard par-5 hole—a challenging but reachable target—the players celebrated the end of a successful night with handshakes and waves to the audience, with Aberg noting how much fun he had participating.
Woods appreciated the lively environment, particularly when fans cheered during Clark’s putt, saying such an ambiance is uncommon at typical golf events. Looking ahead, Woods is scheduled to make his debut for the Jupiter Links club on January 14, while McIlroy may join on January 27 when the Boston Common team faces Jupiter Links, with the regular season extending until March 4.
The innovative league comprises 24 players divided into six teams of four, with the top four teams progressing to the playoffs, leading to a best-of-three championship series two weeks before the Masters. Each match features three activated players per team, and the 15-hole rounds are designed to wrap up in about two hours, broadcast on ESPN platforms often during prime time.
Despite its unconventional format, Woods emphasized that it remains fundamentally golf. Fowler added that audience reception, both in-person and on television, will be critical to TGL’s future success. He noted that this could pave the way for similar venues in various locations, signaling just the beginning of an exciting new chapter in golf.
