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After years of anticipation and some significant setbacks, the TGL (Tomorrow’s Golf League) is finally set to begin on ESPN on January 7.
But when it does, it will be without co-founders Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
Both Woods, who underwent another back surgery last month, and McIlroy will not debut until later in the season.
David Rumsey of Front Office Sports reports that Woods’ Jupiter Links Club, which features teammates Max Homa, Tom Kim, and Kevin Kisner, will debut in Week 2. While McIlroy’s Boston Common Golf team does not play until Week 4 against Woods’ team.
McIlroy is set to team with Keegan Bradley, Hideki Matsuyama and Tom Kim.
So, what exactly is TGL and how does it work?
The league consists of six teams, with each consisting of four players.
Golfers will hit tee and approach shots into a simulator projected onto a massive screen. Then all shots inside 50 yards will take place at the 22,475-square-foot short game area. The short game area includes an adaptive a green that can transform to create a variety of putts.
Each match is made up of 15 holes, with 9 holes of triples and 6 holes of singles. Each hole is worth one point for the team with the lowest score.
But there are also some fun twists.
Teams can “throw the hammer” to raise the stakes on a hole by one point. If the other team accepts, the stakes increase. If they decline, they concede the hole. The hammer rotates from team to team throughout the match.
If the two teams are tied through 15 holes, it goes to a best-of-three closest-to-the-pin contest.
All 15 matches will be televised on either ESPN or ESPN2. All six teams will play five regular-season matches, with the top four teams reaching the playoffs. The championship round will involve a best-of-three series between the two finalists.