The Bay Golf Club continues its remarkable undefeated run in TGL’s inaugural season, establishing itself as the team to beat. With a perfect 4-0 record and 22 holes won, they’ve showcased what innovative golf competition looks like when execution meets strategy. Meanwhile, co-founders Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy find themselves in surprisingly similar predicaments—watching their teams struggle to secure playoff spots.

As Jupiter Links stumbles with a 1-3 record, a prominent golf insider from The Shotgun Start podcast delivered a blunt assessment that’s raising eyebrows across the golf world. “I think TGL is a better product when Tiger is not there,” Johnson declared on his podcast after Jupiter Links’ latest defeat. “I love Tiger Woods, I grew up watching him, but I think there is a whole pompous circumstance around Tiger Woods that sucks energy out of everything.“

The statistics lend credence to the podcast’s host’s controversial take. Jupiter Links holds a 1-2 record with Woods in the lineup, suffering lopsided losses to LA GC (12-1) and NY GC (10-3), with their sole victory coming against Rory McIlroy’s struggling Boston Common Golf (4-3). When Woods sat out their February 25th match against The Bay GC, the team still lost 6-3 but showed markedly different team dynamics. The insider observed, “I thought the guys on Tiger Woods’ team were more comfortable being themselves, and overall, I thought Jupiter Links’ team was better without Tiger.” The evidence appeared on screen, with Kevin Kisner and Tom Kim displaying more personality and taking more strategic risks despite ultimately falling short against Min Woo Lee’s chip-in heroics and Shane Lowry’s clutch putting.

Interestingly, both league co-founders now face potential playoff elimination. McIlroy’s Boston Common Golf sits last with a 0-3-1 record and just one point, requiring a near-miracle scenario to advance. Jupiter Links, with just two points, must defeat Atlanta Drive on March 4 and hope for a New York GC loss to force a tiebreaker—a tall order for a team that’s won just nine holes while losing twenty-one.

As Jupiter Links navigates their Woods-related challenges, the broader TGL playoff picture has begun to crystallize with surprising clarity.

TGL playoff picture emerges as Tiger Woods fights for survival

With the inaugural TGL season nearing its playoff stage, three teams have already secured their postseason berths. The Bay Golf Club leads the pack with 8 points and an undefeated record, showcasing remarkable team chemistry even when resting star player Ludvig Åberg. Their strategic brilliance was particularly evident in their victory over Jupiter Links, where a double hammer masterstroke on Hole 9 created a decisive advantage.

Los Angeles GC (7 points) and Atlanta Drive GC (6 points) have also clinched playoff spots, with Collin Morikawa leading LA GC to a league-best 23 holes won. Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay have propelled Atlanta Drive through clutch overtime performances, highlighting their veteran poise under pressure. The betting markets reflect this hierarchy, with The Bay GC (+220), Los Angeles GC (+260), and Atlanta Drive GC (+280) established as clear favorites.

The final playoff spot remains contested between New York GC (3 points) and the co-founders’ struggling squads. New York controls its destiny—a win in their March 3 matchup against Boston Common secures their advancement. Jupiter Links faces a must-win scenario against Atlanta Drive on March 4, coupled with needing a New York loss, to have any chance. The odds reflect this precarious position, with Jupiter Links at long +900 odds to lift the trophy.

What’s particularly noteworthy is how both Woods’ and McIlroy’s teams have underperformed despite their star power. While the league co-founders brought immense credibility to TGL, they haven’t translated that into competitive success. This ironic twist adds an unexpected narrative layer to the inaugural TGL season—the visionaries behind the league may watch the playoffs from the sidelines while newer, more cohesive teams battle for the championship.

Will Jupiter Links prove all wrong in their final match, or has the golf insider identified a fundamental truth about team chemistry in this new format? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!