Tiger Woods, a 15-time major champion, hasn’t played in a PGA Tour event for months, but his upcoming involvement in a new initiative could significantly impact the tour, according to world No. 7 Wyndham Clark. Woods is set to compete in The Golf League (TGL), a tech-savvy competition he co-founded with Rory McIlroy, which will make its debut in January.
TGL will feature 24 of the PGA Tour’s top players battling it out in weekly, made-for-TV matches at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. This will be Woods’ first return to regular competitive action since his 2021 car accident, which left him with severe injuries and ongoing physical difficulties that made walking 18 holes a major challenge. In 2023, Woods played only the four major championships and The Genesis Invitational, clearly struggling with his physical limitations.
However, the TGL’s innovative format is designed to minimize the physical toll on players. The event will consist of three-player teams in 15-hole matches, where competitors will hit full shots into a large simulator screen, followed by action in a dynamic short-game area. Woods, who will represent Jupiter Links Golf Club, is slated to make his TGL debut on January 14.
For Clark, the 2023 US Open champion, Woods’ participation in TGL represents a major win for both the PGA Tour and the sport as a whole. “It’s huge,” Clark said. “No matter how Tiger performs, just having him involved in the game is massive. His physical challenges make it hard for him to play multiple rounds in a week, but this format helps him focus on hitting shots without the physical strain of traditional tournaments. It’s great for golf and for TGL.”
Clark also expressed excitement about sharing the stage with Woods in the league’s inaugural match. “It’s awesome for me personally, as a younger player, to compete alongside Tiger. It’s an opportunity I’ve never had before,” he added.
Woods has already generated significant buzz in recent weeks, drawing massive viewership during the PNC Championship, where he teamed up with his son, Charlie. Despite finishing as runners-up, Woods proved once again that he’s the sport’s biggest draw.
The professional golf scene has faced challenges in recent years, especially with the rise of LIV Golf in 2022, which has created off-course drama and fractured the fanbase. This division, along with the controversy surrounding LIV, has led to disappointing TV ratings for the PGA Tour. TGL, however, could offer a much-needed boost. The league’s decision to schedule its matches on Monday nights, following the NFL season, aims to capture prime-time sports viewership. Clark believes this strategy is crucial for growing the game. “It’s amazing,” he said. “I hope it leads to more primetime opportunities for golf. TGL is smart to schedule right after the NFL, when people are still looking for sports to watch. Taking that Monday night slot is a huge move for golf.”
