TGL’s championship match begins Monday evening as Atlanta will sq. off in opposition to New York at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
It’s a best-of-three sequence, with the second match scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET.
The rubber match, ought to it get there, would happen on Tuesday night as effectively, instantly after the conclusion of the second match.
The primary match will characteristic Billy Horschel, Justin Thomas, and Patrick Cantlay representing Atlanta Drive, whereas Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler, and Cameron Younger will don the navy and white of New York Golf Membership. These two groups performed one another as soon as earlier than, on Jan. 21, within the third match of TGL’s inaugural season. It was additionally a sleeper, as Atlanta defeated New York with ease, 4-to-0.
However earlier than the battle for the SoFi Cup will get underway, we needed to supply 4 ideas on bettering TGL total.
4. Extra twists and turns akin to The Hammer
The Hammer has been a enjoyable little twist throughout TGL’s inaugural season.
In case you are unaware of how this works, right here is the way it goes:
Whichever crew has the Hammer can throw it down on any gap. When it’s thrown down and accepted by the opposing crew, the purpose complete of the opening will increase by one. Holes rely for one level, just like match play, whereas the Hammer will increase a gap’s worth to 2 factors.
There’s a caveat to this although. The opposition should settle for the Hammer if a crew throws it earlier than a tee shot is performed. Nevertheless, if the Hammer is thrown after the opening is underway, the opposite crew can reject it. But when that crew does deny it, they forfeit the opening.
Thus far, the Hammer has been fairly profitable — a lot in order that TGL applied a rule change halfway via the season. On Feb. 14, TGL introduced that every crew would have three hammers going ahead as a substitute of the earlier one. This elevated a given match’s volatility whereas giving every gap somewhat further juice.
We need to see extra twists and turns like this in 12 months Two.
What these are? Who is aware of. However the Hammer is a enjoyable idea that’s distinctive to TGL. Perhaps there’s a new addition subsequent 12 months by which a participant loses a flip. Or somebody has to hit a shot left-handed. No matter it might be, the league ought to toss in additional twists and turns. It’s a made-for-TV product, in spite of everything.
3. Extra groups, together with LPGA stars
TGL has publicly acknowledged that it’ll develop past its six groups, however who will probably be included and what number of will be part of stays a thriller.
A ‘Texas Wedges’ crew of Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Will Zalatoris, and Doug Ghim may very well be a enjoyable addition. Golf followers would welcome the chance to see the World No. 1 and maybe probably the most entertaining participant on the planet, Spieth, tee it up on the SoFi Middle.
However TGL ought to invite LPGA stars to affix, too.
Perhaps each crew has an LPGA participant, corresponding to Nelly Korda, Charley Hull, or Lydia Ko. Or, maybe an up-and-coming star, like Jeeno Thitikul or Rose Zhang, might enter the fold. Different strong choices may very well be Australian Hannah Inexperienced and Frenchwoman Celine Boutier, each of whom have received vital occasions over the previous couple of years.
Or does TGL set up an all-LPGA crew to compete in opposition to the boys? That may very well be enjoyable. Granted, TGL must incorporate a unique set of tees for the women since they don’t have the identical membership carry that the boys do. However given how superior the expertise on the SoFi Middle is, that shouldn’t be a problem.
2. Shortern match instances
We now have referred to as for this earlier than, however it’s price repeating: TGL matches don’t want two hours to finish. Certain, a part of the deal is promoting promoting income and increase sufficient of a industrial load to offset prices and finally flip a revenue. However a 90-minute match is greater than enough as a substitute of the present 120 minutes.
Eradicate the extended entrances, which regularly take 10 minutes. We additionally don’t want a halftime, both. Halftimes don’t exist in golf and shouldn’t be part of TGL both.
The largest attract to TGL is its tempo of play. It strikes quick. It strikes swiftly. A 40-second shot clock retains issues transferring, and the match itself ought to comply with that motif too.
Plus, with 90-minute matches, you may stack doubleheaders like an In-N-Out Double-Double. The primary match begins at 7 p.m. and the subsequent begins at 9 p.m. These half-hour in between can be utilized for a warmup interval, interviews, and different options {that a} halftime report could embrace.
Hold issues transferring. It’s what golf followers need.
1. The season ends sooner
As soon as the PGA Tour descends upon the Sunshine State in early February and late March, everybody’s focus begins to shift to Augusta Nationwide. Who’s trending in the fitting path? What darkish horse can win the Inexperienced Jacket? Can Rory McIlroy lastly win and, subsequently, turn into the seventh participant to win the profession Grand Slam?
The Gamers additionally takes place throughout March, as TPC Sawgrass is the proper appetizer for The Masters. It’s a terrific setting with one of the best end in golf, a course that separates the haves from the have-nots, particularly over the previous couple of years. Sawgrass requires pinpoint accuracy from tee to inexperienced, beautiful ball putting, and a inventive brief sport, not not like Augusta.
That is all to say that {the golfing} world will not be targeted on TGL at this level on the calendar. Main championship season is starting to take form, and one of the best gamers need to focus their time and efforts on practising and making ready for Augusta and the next majors to return. Golf followers have their eyes locked on them too.
Subsequently, we suggest that the second TGL season begins in late November or early December. Most TGL gamers dwell in South Florida anyway, so commuting to the SoFi Middle in Palm Seaside Gardens needs to be a breeze. Plus, with ESPN having rights to Monday Night time Soccer, TGL might discover a everlasting spot on Tuesday night on ‘The Worldwide Chief in Sports activities.’ A constant time slot and devoted evening of the week would additionally assist this new league. ESPN might promote TGL on its Monday Night time Soccer telecasts whereas ushering in a brand new TGL season effectively earlier than Christmas.
Then, TGL ought to wrap up its postseason the week after the Genesis Invitational. Perhaps that features playoff matches on Presidents Day, a vacation that included some common season matches this 12 months. However regardless of the specifics, TGL ought to finish its season effectively earlier than The Gamers, at a minimal.
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. Observe him on X @jack_milko.
