TGL TV schedule, Tiger's next start and more

Check in every week for the unfiltered views of our writers and editors as they analyze the hottest topics in sports, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @igalofu_com. This week, we discuss the TGL TV schedule announcement, the Hero World Challenge arena, Justin Thomas' latest disappointment and more.

TGL, the indoor golf league, founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, announced its 2025 TV schedule, with the first game airing in prime time on Tuesday, Jan. 7, on ESPN. Tiger Woods and his team won't be playing on opening night – he's playing next week – but how important do you think Woods' role is when it comes to audience interest?

James Colgan, news and features editor (@jamescolgan26): Uh, Tiger's role in this league is basically i only an important factor in the interest of viewers in the early days. TGL is betting — and hoping — that fans will enjoy the concept so much that they'll still feel compelled to tune in during non-Woods weeks. A lot depends on how the broadcast looks and sounds, but my bet is that they will steal features from ManningCast to expand the reach of players (as basically every new sports telecast seems to do).

Josh Sens, senior editor, (@joshsens): This is not unlike the James Bond franchise, where you can change the lead actor without reducing public ticket sales. As James notes, Tiger is the key to getting this thing off the ground. However, long-term sustainability may depend more on how people feel compelled to gamble.

Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): Tiger will be a big part of it, but the key is to use its name to bring in viewers and use the product to keep them coming back. But this is a TV game, so golfers who play will need to entertain and manage the action when they're not hitting the shots. I've always heard that the pros at The Match struggle with that part, so we'll have to see how it goes down with TGL.

TGL's venue, the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., seats about 1,500 and tickets start at $160. If you are a fan in the area, what is your level of interest in attending one of these in person?

Colgan: I would think so high! Some of the best golfers, in the most intimate setting, in an already golf-crazy place? Seems like a good business proposition to me.

Senses: Sartre was wrong. Hell is not other people. Hell is sitting on a course with a bunch of other people, watching grown men hit golf balls on a screen. If I have $160 set aside for fun, I play golf. He doesn't watch it at home.

How: As someone who lives a few states away, I don't buy a plane ticket south and watch TGL, but if I were in the area I would consider it, mostly for the curiosity factor. There are a lot of worse ways to spend $160, (some) Josh! In addition, you only catch a lot of people, you will not sit in the nose.

Seventeen of the 20 places for the Hero World Challenge to be played in December in the Bahamas have been announced, although the 15-match athlete will again be a last-minute decision after back surgery in September. Given what we know so far, do you think Woods is kidding?

Colgan: I think maybe I won't play, considering the PNC tournament is a few days away and will work the same way. Better to be safe than sorry.

Senses: Agreed. Granted, Tiger has shown a Deadpool-like ability to bounce back from physical damage. But now the pain has piled up so much that I expect her to focus her energy on her hosting job, while saving what's left of her back and knees and feet to play with her son.

How: I don't agree! I think you will play. We don't know the details of his recovery, but the surgery was minor and he may have recovered by then.

Nico Echavarria won the Zozo Championship in Japan, defeating Justin Thomas and Max Greyserman by a shot. Thomas, who held the lead at one point, has not won since the 2022 PGA Championship, a 49-start drought on the PGA Tour. Was his performance and close call this week encouraging or disappointing?

Colgan: I would say encouraging. JT played some of the best golf we've seen from him in a long time, and more importantly, he played some stable golf we've seen from him in a long time (just one bogey in 72 holes!). That's his winning formula, he just didn't get the win.

Senses: He put himself in contention to win the tournament. That's no small feat, especially considering his recent struggles. It is encouraging. I don't know how you could have seen it otherwise.

How: It is encouraging. Winning golf tournaments is hard.

After the tumultuous 2024 WM Phoenix Open, organizers announced changes to the 2025 schedule for what they said would be a “better, not bigger” event in February. Among the changes: a new entrance and widened walkways, fully digital ticketing format, relocated food and liquor vendors to reduce foot traffic and more. Do you think these changes will be enough to solve the tournament's problems? Or will its reputation mean that tweaks like these won't come as far as one might think?

Colgan: I like the WM Phoenix Open, but I think it's unlikely to change significantly as long as the fans keep going in pursuit of a complete relegation.

Senses: Last year was a perfect storm, literally. Rain-soaked grass. Crowds of well-served fans. It was meant to be the Jackass Invitational. But I have James. Even in dry conditions, I don't see how you change the main character of the tournament with these changes. Wildness is a feature, not a bug.

How: This may improve some of the applications but I have trouble imagining that it will change much more than that. The biggest problem of the tournament is its perception, and that is very difficult to change. You'll still get that crowd of fans who come because they think it's a free pass to be silly.