“The next evolution within professional golf,” has officially wrapped up. In August 2022, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy first introduced the idea of a high-tech, fast-paced indoor golf league. Many wondered if it could thrive in a sport so deeply rooted in tradition. But after months of competitive action, star-studded matchups, and jaw-dropping moments, TGL has proven it’s here to stay. From the moment it teed off in January, the league caught fire, drawing in fans with its unique format and high-stakes battles. The competition was fierce, with Bay Golf, Los Angeles Golf Club, and Atlanta Drive securing early playoff spots. In the championship, Atlanta Drive GC staged a stunning comeback against New York Golf Club. Billy Horschel sealed the victory with an 18-foot double-breaker, his longest putt of the season.

He celebrated like a man who had just won two big leagues at once. One hole to go and Atlanta took the lead. Patrick Cantlay then sealed the deal, clinching a 4-3 victory and etching Atlanta Drive’s name into TGL history as the league’s first-ever champions. Sharing Billy Horschel‘s iconic celebration, Dan Rapaport reported, “TGL a huge success in Year 1. Plain and simple. So many viral moments. Additive to the current landscape without taking anything away. Enjoyed it way more than I thought I would and I think a tonnnnn of people feel the same way.”

Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods have one of the most storied rivalries in golf history, having battled for decades at the highest level of the sport. From tense major championships to unforgettable duels, their competition defined an era. But, despite their past on-course clashes, Mickelson is now giving credit where it’s due, acknowledging the potential impact of TGL. Replying to Rapaport’s post, Lefty wrote, “That’s great news! It would be great for golf if this were to succeed. The golf fan is the most loyal in sports. Buy a ticket, walk miles, and see a fraction of the action, but this could allow the golf fan to buy a ticket, sit down, and watch the action just like other sports. It could be good for the game if it’s compelling.”

Well, it is safe to say that Phil Mickelson is not the only one happy about TGL’s success. It has in numbers been a bigger hit. It was indeed the debut season, so safe to say that the league has broken many records.

TGL surpasses ESPN’s expectations

The billionaire-backed TGL Golf venture wrapped up its inaugural season, and despite the absence of its two biggest stars—co-founders Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, whose teams failed to make the playoffs—it still managed to deliver impressive ratings on ESPN. Meanwhile, the Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league also neared the end of its first campaign, drawing a dedicated and enthusiastic audience, even if its television numbers weren’t groundbreaking.

However, while TGL’s debut was promising, sustaining those numbers in the long run remained a challenge. Like any startup, the league needed to build on its initial success, as growth was essential for survival. Still, TGL’s performance in its first season exceeded ESPN’s pre-launch expectations, averaging 502,400 viewers per broadcast across its 15 telecasts. The numbers varied, reaching a peak of over 1 million viewers during Woods’ much-anticipated second-week appearance while dipping as low as 160,000 for a Monday afternoon match on ESPN2.

Despite fluctuations, even the lowest-rated broadcast outperformed ESPN’s typical programming for that time slot, which was a significant measure of success. Naturally, Woods’ presence drove the highest viewership, with his Week 4 showdown against McIlroy’s team drawing 864,000 viewers. Though his later appearances saw a slight dip—546,000 viewers in Week 6 and 500,000 for his final outing—the numbers still far surpassed ESPN’s usual offerings.

Beyond raw ratings, TGL proved its concept by attracting a bit of a younger audience compared to traditional golf broadcasts. The league’s median viewer age was 51.4 years—significantly lower than the 63-year-old average for PGA and LIV broadcasts. This demographic shift was particularly valuable to advertisers, who prioritized younger audiences within the coveted 25-54 age range. As TGL’s first season came to a close, it left a strong impression. The foundation was set, the audience was engaged, and the challenge moving forward was to build on this momentum.