TGL’s debut season turned plenty of heads, and it’s not just because of its high-tech, simulator-based format. The league managed to pull in some impressive TV ratings right out of the gate, proving that there’s a real appetite for this new take on golf. When Tiger Woods made his highly anticipated TGL debut, viewership soared past 1 million, marking a 9% increase from the first match. That’s a big win for a brand-new league trying to carve out its place in the golf world. Even more impressive? TGL’s numbers have comfortably beaten out some Duke men’s basketball games—a rare feat in the sports TV world.
And while traditional PGA Tour events still hold a higher average at 2.2 million viewers, it’s worth noting that those air on weekends, while TGL has been thriving on weekday primetime slots. Interestingly, LIV Golf—despite being around for three years—has struggled to match TGL’s viewership. A large part of that comes down to broadcasting deals (ESPN vs. The CW), but there’s also no denying that TGL’s fresh concept has drawn real curiosity from golf fans. However, that was not the case in the final matches.
The TGL Finals continued Tuesday night as Atlanta Drive Golf Club and New York Golf Club battled in the second match of their best-of-three series for the league’s first-ever championship. After a thrilling 6-5 victory on Monday that went down to the final hole, Atlanta entered the match with a 1-0 series lead. On Tuesday, they staged another late comeback, securing a 4-3 win to complete the sweep and take home the SoFi Cup.
Atlanta’s lineup featured Billy Horschel, Patrick Cantlay, and Justin Thomas, while Lucas Glover remained on the sidelines. New York had Xander Schauffele, Cameron Young, and Rickie Fowler in action, with Matt Fitzpatrick sitting out. Despite the exciting finale, as reported by Josh Carpenter, “Numbers for TGL’s championship: 557K on ESPN, down substantially from the same window last year (Georgia-OSU NIT quarterfinal, 1.029M). Last night peaked at 681K at the end of the match. Of the 12 TGL matches on ESPN this season, the final ranked 5th in viewership.”
Numbers for TGL’s championship: 557K on ESPN, down substantially from the same window last year (Georgia-OSU NIT quarterfinal, 1.029M).
Last night peaked at 681K at the end of the match.
Of the 12 TGL matches on ESPN this season, the final ranked 5th in viewership.
— Josh Carpenter (@JoshACarpenter) March 27, 2025
Despite the numbers, there is no doubt that Tuesday night was an absolute cinema. The excitement wasn’t just limited to the players—plenty of celebrities turned up to witness history being made. Actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key, gaming icon Ninja, and former NFL quarterback Matt Ryan were among those in attendance, adding to the electric atmosphere of the night.
Highlights from TGL finale
The match kicked off with a tense exchange on Hole 1 when Patrick Cantlay had an opportunity to put Atlanta ahead. After New York’s Cameron Young missed his putt, Cantlay lined up a seemingly perfect 20-foot attempt. The ball rolled straight toward the hole but rimmed out at the last second, keeping the score tied and setting the stage for the drama that followed.
New York struck first, breaking the deadlock late in the triples portion of the match. Xander Schauffele came up clutch on Hole 7, landing his first shot just under five feet from the cup, securing New York’s first point of the night. The momentum carried over to Hole 8, where Young delivered a pinpoint approach shot that stopped only 15 inches from the hole. New York attempted to double the hole’s value by throwing the hammer, but Atlanta declined, conceding a single point as New York extended its lead to 2-0.
The pressure continued to mount as Schauffele defeated Justin Thomas on Hole 10, pushing New York’s advantage to 3-0. With Atlanta trailing, they needed a response—and they found one in the singles portion of the match. Slowly but surely, they chipped away at New York’s lead, inching closer to a comeback.
Then came the defining moment on Hole 14. After Rickie Fowler’s opening shot found the bunker, Atlanta seized the opportunity and threw the hammer to double the stakes. Billy Horschel rose to the occasion, sinking a clutch 18-foot putt that turned the tide completely, giving Atlanta a 4-3 lead and sending the crowd into a frenzy.
With the momentum fully on their side, Atlanta closed out the match on Hole 15, completing an incredible comeback to claim the first-ever SoFi Cup. The night proved exactly why TGL has been such a success—it blended intense competition, innovative strategy, and electric energy in a way that redefined how golf is experienced.
As the league wraps up its inaugural season, one thing is certain: TGL has captured the imagination of fans, players, and even celebrities alike. With its fresh format, star-studded matches, and dramatic finishes, the future of the league looks brighter than ever. The only question now—what’s next for TGL? Stay tuned for what promises to be an even bigger second season.
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