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December 20, 2024, Orlando, Florida, USA: Tiger Woods watches his greenside bunker shot on the 18th hole at the PNC Championship Pro-Am at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Orlando USA – ZUMAw109 20241220_fap_w109_005 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx

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December 20, 2024, Orlando, Florida, USA: Tiger Woods watches his greenside bunker shot on the 18th hole at the PNC Championship Pro-Am at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Orlando USA – ZUMAw109 20241220_fap_w109_005 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx
Let’s take a step back and assess the TGL’s progress so far, shall we? While the latest viewership numbers might seem like a mixed bag, they’re actually not as dire as they appear. With 682,000 viewers, TGL is roughly on par with ESPN’s averages for this time of year, and its audience is a whopping 14 years younger than the PGA Tour’s, which is definitely a win. However, the league’s scheduling quirks might be making it tough for viewers to develop a habit of tuning in.
And let’s be real, it’s still early days for TGL, so we shouldn’t read too much into these numbers just yet. But the question on everyone’s mind is, can TGL sustain this momentum? In the latest episode of Drop Zone on Spotify, the conversation turned to the future of TGL, and the outlook isn’t entirely rosy.
In the latest episode of Drop Zone on Spotify, the conversation turned to the future of TGL, a unique golf league that’s been generating buzz. But as the discussion unfolded, it became clear that TGL’s success might be short-lived. So, what’s the problem? For starters, TGL’s teams feel more like random assemblies of players than genuine representations of their respective cities. “I think it’s great as an entertainment product…I like watching it because it’s a nice thing to put on on a Tuesday night or Monday night.” But when you’re watching a team that was seemingly thrown together to accommodate players’ schedules, it’s hard to get invested in the outcome.
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TGL does offer a unique viewing experience that sets it apart from traditional golf tournaments. “I think where it’s where it differs from LIV is that it’s it is genuinely different than the on course 72 or you know, whatever 54 stroke play products.” But that novelty might wear off quickly if viewers don’t start to feel a connection to the teams and players. And right now, that connection just isn’t there. As one Drop Zone host noted, TGL’s biggest hurdle is its lack of authenticity. “I think where they have room to grow, but I don’t see how they really will is that lack of…just making this stuff out of nothing.” Until TGL can find a way to create meaningful connections between teams, players, and viewers, its future remains uncertain.
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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – MARCH 07: Jay Monahan,
Commissioner of the PGA Tour speaks to the media in a press conference prior to THE PLAYERS Championship on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 07, 2023 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
It’s not only Tiger Woods’s league that’s struggling with viewership woes as other leaves have the same problem as well.
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Viewership decline growing concern for the PGA Tour
The recent AT&T Pebble Beach event was a letdown for many golf fans, who were expecting an exciting and dramatic broadcast. Instead, the coverage fell flat, leaving viewers feeling unsatisfied. This wasn’t just a one-off disappointment – it’s part of a larger trend of declining TV ratings for the PGA Tour. The 2024 season saw a 3% drop in viewership, which is a worrying sign for the Tour.
The PGA Tour’s struggles to capture and retain audiences are ongoing. Even the season-opening event of 2025, The Sentry, saw a decline in viewership. This is in stark contrast to the Tour’s rivals, which experienced a significant 50% increase in viewership. It’s clear that the PGA Tour needs to rethink its broadcast strategy to win back fans and attract new ones. With declining viewership and a clear disconnect between the Tour and its audience, something needs to change. What do you think the PGA Tour can do to turn things around? Let us know in the comment section below.
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Is the PGA Tour's viewership decline a sign of golf's waning appeal in America?
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Is the PGA Tour's viewership decline a sign of golf's waning appeal in America?