Tiger Woods Kicks Off Indoor Golf Career with Humorous Take on Heavy Loss, Reflecting on the ‘Struggles of Pro Players’

Tiger Woods made his TGL debut on Wednesday (AEDT) as the sixth and final player to step out from the tunnel and onto the arena floor.

There was no need for an announcement of his name.

“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor resounded through the air, serving as a fitting introduction for arguably the greatest golfer of all time.

Inside the SoFi Centre at Palm Beach State College, everyone was well aware of who Woods was, with many likely knowing the effort he and Rory McIlroy have put in over the years to bring indoor golf to television.

“It’s now a reality,” Woods stated.

Week two of TGL took place on Wednesday, where Woods partnered with Kevin Kisner and Max Homa from Jupiter Links Golf Club against the Los Angeles Golf Club team comprising Justin Rose, Collin Morikawa, and Sahith Theegala.

The outcome? Los Angeles triumphed 12-1 in the 15-hole, made-for-television team match, featuring a mix of nine holes of alternate shot triples play followed by six singles play holes—two holes for each player on each side. Despite the significant score difference, Woods maintained a smile throughout the event. He played just 20 shots during the match, which wrapped up in just over two hours.

“We put on a show,” said Woods, still chuckling after the lopsided defeat at the venue just a stone’s throw from his home on Jupiter Island. “We hit plenty of shots. The fans got to witness what even the pros can do wrong. It was quite a spectacle, oh my goodness. But we had an excellent time.”

Woods’ team fell behind swiftly, trailing 5-0 before recovering slightly thanks to Woods sinking an 8-footer for par, managing to tie it up on the fifth hole after having previously missed a 7-footer left of the hole.

“It’s about time, Tiger,” remarked tennis star Serena Williams on the ESPN broadcast. Williams, a long-time friend of Woods, was cheering for him while simultaneously being part of the ownership group of the Los Angeles Golf Club, leaving her in the position of cheering against him as well.

Woods displayed his trademark moments, eyeing shots he favoured as the state-of-the-art video boards illustrated where the ball would have flown if outdoors.

However, there were frustrations, too; Woods shook his head after sending a wedge from 101 yards straight into the water on the second hole, causing his son Charlie, seated high up in the arena, to break into laughter.

“This is something special. Golf has never witnessed anything like this,” Woods remarked. “We have this arena, plus outstanding players collaborating to provide entertainment and enjoyment.”

It wasn’t just Charlie Woods having a laugh at the performance of Jupiter Links. Tiger found the humour in it too—especially when Kisner hit a shot from the sand that ricocheted off the pin, prompting his teammates to duck for cover.

“To be honest, we thought no one was ever going to get hit in here,” said Woods.

The golf might resonate with viewers. Woods expressed hope that audiences stayed tuned until the end; Homa posited that Duke fans would still be engaged, since the Blue Devils had a game against Miami on ESPN after the golf segment concluded. Woods, who walked alongside his son during a tournament last month, appeared physically fit—at least in terms of not holding back during his swings.

He reported feeling well physically, despite the golf: “The walking’s not an issue. My game, however, is not in great shape,” Woods admitted.

Sitting in the Los Angeles box just beside the teeing areas, Williams soaked up the excitement of the player introductions, dazzling light shows, and thumping music.

“It’s so wild,” Williams expressed. “You see some of this in tennis, and we witness it in basketball all the time, right? But it’s something completely new for golf. It’s refreshing to see the players’ personalities shine through and exhibit their skills as golfers. It’s incredibly exciting to witness this new dimension.”