The PGA Tour yr could also be winding to a detailed, however one factor is simply getting began: The TGL. The mixed-reality golf league from TMRW Sports activities, launched by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, is barreling down the trail to its inaugural season, and we realized much more about what it’ll seem like Tuesday. 

Haven’t you heard? Justin Thomas is now a member of the Atlanta Drive. Undecided what which means? You’re not alone. However Thomas is one among 24 gamers participating, who will all be members of the six founding TGL groups, competing in a round-robin slate of matches on Monday and Tuesday nights this spring. You’ll be capable of watch all of it on ESPN, beginning Jan. 9, however what precisely will you be watching? We define it beneath. 

TGL Competitors Format Defined: 

Triples and Singles — no Doubles

For every match, every TGL crew will ship three gamers to SoFi Heart in Palm Seaside, Fla., a made-for-purpose area that can match 1,600 spectators. They’ll start by taking part in what TGL is asking “Triples,” a three-man alternate shot competitors for the primary 9 holes of the night time. 

After the Triples, the match will pivot to one-on-one. That’s what TGL is asking “Singles.” (Zero factors for creativity on the session names.) Particular person gamers from every crew will face off in opposition to one opponent from the opposite crew on particular person holes. 

EXAMPLE: Justin Thomas performs Tiger Woods on the tenth gap. Max Homa performs Rickie Fowler on the eleventh gap. Collin Morikawa performs Patrick Cantlay on the twelfth gap. Then JT and Tiger kick off the ultimate three holes by taking part in in opposition to one another once more. 

For these doing their very own math, that’s 9 holes of Triples and 6 holes of Singles, including as much as 15 holes on the night time. Not 18. The tempo of play must be fast, because the TV window for these matches is simply two hours lengthy. That is largely digital golf as gamers make their manner to the inexperienced, so there gained’t be time spent strolling to wherever their balls find yourself.

Most factors wins

Groups will probably be competing for factors, that are earned in a easy manner: by successful holes. If our imaginary crew of Woods, Fowler and Cantlay made an alternate-shot birdie on 1 to beat their opponent, after which tie the 2nd gap, they’re up one level. Importantly, up one level doesn’t imply the identical as 1 Up. A minimum of, not within the sense we’re used to with golf matches. 

Each one of many 15 holes will probably be performed throughout each match, which means there are 15 factors up for grabs. If a crew is 4 factors up with three holes to play, they won’t name the match. Somewhat, they’ll play out these ultimate three holes to see how lopsided the match was. And they should. The year-end tiebreaker is Whole Variety of Holes Gained. So, TGL scores will look extra like baseball scores, if something. Count on to see loads of 4-3 ballgames. 

Additionally, anticipate quite a lot of the groups and matches to be launched quickly. We’re simply two months away from launch week.

True mixed-reality 

You could have heard concerning the 64-by-46 foot mega simulator display screen that gamers will probably be hitting into. That’s digital. However they’ll be hitting from real-life surfaces. Actual, shortly mown grass to emulate fairways and tees, in addition to actual, rough-like, thicker grasses to signify what it’s like when gamers miss the golf green. There will probably be actual sand from which gamers will play bunker pictures. 

As soon as gamers have nearly superior inside about 50 yards of the opening, the short-game space will come to life. Their actual golf balls will probably be positioned within the respective spots within the competitors space, and 189 actuators and jacks beneath the floor will make each time it’s used really feel totally different. In the end, the brief sport space is larger than 4 basketball courts and encompasses three placing greens, the slopes of which could be dictated to any diploma. 

Extra time! 

One of many tastiest facets of this competitors is that we’ll ultimately see additional time. It could not come in the course of the first night time, and even the primary few, however ultimately there will probably be a 4-4 tie after 15 holes. From there, gamers will take particular person pictures into the display screen, alternating between the groups like a penalty shootout. The aim: be the primary crew to win TWO closest-to-the-pin challenges in opposition to the opposite crew. 

EXAMPLE: Tiger Woods snipes the inexperienced, whereas Justin Thomas misses the inexperienced. That’s ONE for Woods’ crew. Then each Max Homa and Rickie Fowler miss the inexperienced. Zero factors for that. Collin Morikawa’s does what he does finest and hits it shut in opposition to Patrick Cantlay. All tied up. Then Tiger Woods does what Tiger Woods does higher than anybody in historical past and hits it to a foot, claiming that second closest-to problem from the bunch. Group TW wins. 

Hockey standings 

Okay, however what do they win? The TGL is clearly eager to include ideas that work in different sports activities. However successful any given TGL match will probably be value two factors on the year-long standings race, whether or not it occurs in regulation or in additional time, like we referenced above. A loss will probably be value nothing, except it occurs in additional time, like we referenced above. Extra time losses, like in hockey, are nonetheless value one level on the year-long race. It could not consolation Justin Thomas within the second, however it might be the distinction between advancing and having your TGL season end earlier than the playoffs. 

Of the six groups competing, 4 will advance to the semi-finals matches. From there, the 2 successful groups will play a best-of-three championship sequence for the inaugural TGL championship.