logo
After successful first season, Rory McIlroy wants to see TGL makes these two changes in 2026

After successful first season, Rory McIlroy wants to see TGL makes these two changes in 2026

USA Today26-03-2025

HOUSTON — The first season of TGL is in the books.
Justin Thomas' Atlanta Drive GC beat New York 2-0 in the best-of-three championship series Tuesday thanks to Billy Horschel's late heroics in the second match. It was a thrilling end to the inaugural season of the indoor simulator league, which was founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's TMRW Sports.
McIlroy wasn't in attendance at the season finale of Tomorrow's Golf League, as he's teeing it up at the 2025 Texas Children's Houston Open in his final start before the Masters. He was tuned in however.
On Wednesday after his pro-am, Golfweek caught up with McIlroy about the first year of TGL. The world No. 2 said he was impressed with how much the players bought into the new experience.
"I think everyone that played had an amazing time," McIlroy said. "Even the guys that played one match, whether it be Nick Dunlap or Tony Finau, they all just talked about what an amazing experience it was. So I think for that, having player buy-in, if the players are enthusiastic about it, then that will translate into the crowd or the media or whoever the audience is being enthusiastic about it as well."
"I think that was amazing and that the players really got into it and we were able to create a product that the players really liked."
Being that the league was in its inaugural season, there were plenty of bumps along the way. But TGL was proactive, including changing rules a couple weeks in to help make matches more competitive, and it paid off in the long run.
"I think being able to change on the fly, so obviously change in that hammer rule midseason was huge," McIlroy added. "You know, there was a couple of really non-competitive matches at the start, and then once we changed the hammer rules, um it it became a lot more competitive or at least had the potential to stay competitive with how the hammer rules started to work. So I think that was a really good thing."
The league carries some significant momentum into year No. 2, and TGL is already in discussions with ESPN about building a schedule for 2026. There has also been talk for expansion and other changes to grow the league.
What does McIlroy think TGL can build upon in 2026?
"I think we could do better job with being a little more imaginative with the golf holes, like design golf holes that you would never be able to play in real life," McIlroy said. "I think that would be pretty cool, right? I think that something that we could do a better job of. I would say the putting surface needs looked that, like I think it's much harder to hole putts on that TGL green than it is the hole putts on on a normal green. We could have a look at changing the putting surface maybe,as well.
"Apart from that, ESPN is happy. Sponsors are happy. The players are really bought into it, so as a first season has went, I think it's went really, really well."

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Jazz Chisholm's mid-game ESPN interview takes unfortunate turn during Yankees loss
Jazz Chisholm's mid-game ESPN interview takes unfortunate turn during Yankees loss

New York Post

time33 minutes ago

  • New York Post

Jazz Chisholm's mid-game ESPN interview takes unfortunate turn during Yankees loss

Jazz Chisholm Jr. had a lot on his plate in the third inning Sunday night, and it cost him. Chisholm wore a microphone at the top of the third for an in-game interview with ESPN's broadcast team while he manned the hot corner for the Yankees against the Red Sox. He had to cut himself off while answering the announcers' questions as Ceddanne Rafaela hit a chopping ground ball toward third base. Chisholm made a nice play on the ball, but his spinning throw to first went well up the line and allowed Rafaela to advance to second base. Advertisement 4 Jazz Chisholm reacts after his mic'd up error Sunday night. ESPN 'Damn it!' Chisholm shouted as his throw missed the mark. ESPN often does in-game player interviews during its presentation of 'Sunday Night Baseball,' which has been met with some criticism from many fans, as it feels like a distraction for the fielders who have a job to do. Advertisement 4 Jazz Chisholm went 0-for-3 on Sunday with a walk and an RBI. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST And while the play was by no means an easy one, even without being mic'd up, Chisholm's error certainly added some fuel to the anti-mid-game-interview crowd's fire. 'Spin throw … Difficult play,' the broadcaster said to Chisholm after the error. CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND YANKEES STATS Advertisement 'Yeah, it's alright,' New York's third baseman replied. Fortunately for Chisholm and the Yankees, Boston left Rafaela stranded after a groundout and a strikeout got New York out of the inning unscathed. 4 Jazz Chisholm reacting after an RBI single against the Guardians Thursday. AP The Post reported in 2023 that players get paid up to $10,000 for on-field interviews during games. Advertisement Chisholm, who went 0-for-3 with a walk and a sac fly on Sunday night, has one of MLB's most outgoing personalities and would seem a natural fit for moments like these. 4 Jazz Chisholm smiling in the third inning during his in-game interview. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST 'Just go at 70 percent,'' Chisholm said about his new approach as he has had a hot start while returning from a strained oblique. 'Play at 70 percent: offense [and] defense. Don't overswing, don't swing and miss as much.' The Yankees went on to lose 11-7, giving the Red Sox two of three in the weekend series.

UFC on ESPN 68: How to watch Usman vs. Buckley, start time, Atlanta lineup, odds, more
UFC on ESPN 68: How to watch Usman vs. Buckley, start time, Atlanta lineup, odds, more

USA Today

timean hour ago

  • USA Today

UFC on ESPN 68: How to watch Usman vs. Buckley, start time, Atlanta lineup, odds, more

UFC on ESPN 68: How to watch Usman vs. Buckley, start time, Atlanta lineup, odds, more Here's what you need to know to watch UFC on ESPN 68 on ESPN and ESPN+. The UFC is in Atlanta for the sixth time (including a 2014 visit to suburban Duluth), and the first time in more than six years this week with UFC on ESPN 68. Here's how to watch UFC on ESPN 68 with a struggling former champion against a surging welterweight in the headlining spot. Broadcast and streaming info UFC on ESPN 68 has a main card that starts at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN. The preliminary card streams on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET. Stay tuned to MMA Junkie later this week for more broadcast details. Main event: Kamaru Usman Record: 20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC 20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC Opponent: Joaquin Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) Joaquin Buckley (21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC) Division: Welterweight Welterweight Key wins: Colby Covington (twice), Jorge Masvidal (twice), Gilbert Burns, Tyron Woodley, Rafael dos Anjos, Demian Maia, Sean Strickland, Leon Edwards Colby Covington (twice), Jorge Masvidal (twice), Gilbert Burns, Tyron Woodley, Rafael dos Anjos, Demian Maia, Sean Strickland, Leon Edwards Misc.: Usman lost the welterweight title with less than a minute left in a 25-minute fight he was dominating against Leon Edwards when an all-time head kick put him on the wrong side of an all-time highlight. He lost a rematch seven months later, then dropped a decision to Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight for a third straight loss. He's looking for his first win in nearly four years. Main event: Joaquin Buckley Record: 21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC 21-6 MMA, 11-4 UFC Opponent: Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) Division: Welterweight Welterweight Key wins: Colby Covington, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque Colby Covington, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque Misc.: Buckley had his taste of viral success early in his UFC career thanks to an all-time highlight spinning back kick. A two-fight skid is years in the rearview mirror and he's on a six-fight tear with four TKO finishes. Co-main event: Miranda Maverick Record: 15-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC 15-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC Opponent: Rose Namajunas (13-7 MMA, 11-6 UFC) Rose Namajunas (13-7 MMA, 11-6 UFC) Division: Women's flyweight Women's flyweight Key wins: Jamey-Lyn Horth, Andrea Lee, Gillian Robertson Jamey-Lyn Horth, Andrea Lee, Gillian Robertson Misc.: Maverick has been on one of the nicest runs in the division with four straight wins and victories in six of her past seven fights. Years ago, she came up short against a few bigger names in the division, so a win over a former champ like Namajunas would be a big notch on her belt. Co-main event: Rose Namajunas Record: 13-7 MMA, 11-6 UFC 13-7 MMA, 11-6 UFC Opponent: Miranda Maverick (15-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) Miranda Maverick (15-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) Division: Women's flyweight Women's flyweight Key wins: Tracy Cortez, Amanda Ribas, Zhang Weili (twice), Jessica Andrade, Joanna Jedrzejczyk (twice) Tracy Cortez, Amanda Ribas, Zhang Weili (twice), Jessica Andrade, Joanna Jedrzejczyk (twice) Misc.: Two-time champion 'Thug' Rose' started her 2024 trip back to title contention right with two wins after back-to-back losses to Carla Esparza – in which she dropped the title – and recent title challenger Manon Fiorot. But this past November, she lost to Erin Blanchfield and now has to work her way back up. UFC on ESPN 68 main card betting odds MAIN CARD (ESPN2/ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET) Cory Sandhagen -485 vs. Deiveson Figueiredo +370 Reinier de Ridder +250 vs. Bo Nickal -310 Santiago Ponzinibbio -120 vs. Daniel Rodriguez +100 Montel Jackson -205 vs. Daniel Marcos +170 Serhiy Sidey -135 vs. Cameron Smotherman +115 Mason Jones -575 vs. Jeremy Stephens +425 UFC on ESPN 68 prelim betting odds PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

US Open 2025: Odds, Predictions, Best Bets on the Board
US Open 2025: Odds, Predictions, Best Bets on the Board

Newsweek

timean hour ago

  • Newsweek

US Open 2025: Odds, Predictions, Best Bets on the Board

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The 2025 U.S. Open is finally upon us, as the world's best golfers descend onto Oakmont Country Club just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There are endless storylines for the season's third major championship. Scottie Scheffler will look to retain his stranglehold on professional golf. He has three wins in his last few starts, including running away with the PGA Championship. Rory McIlroy will be looking to regain his form that saw him make history at the Masters. Once again, the best players from LIV Golf get to play alongside the PGA Tour's best. There are 14 members of LIV in the field, with several that can make some noise. But as bettors know, you don't always need to know who will win the tournament to make money. With that said, let's get to the U.S. Open odds, predictions and best bets on the board. 2025 U.S. Open Odds We could spend time listing out the odds for all 156 players in the U.S. Open field, but that does not seem like a good use of time. Knowing the history of the event, the winner will likely come from these 20 golfers. Scottie Scheffler +275 Rory McIlroy +850 Bryson DeChambeau +900 Jon Rahm +1200 Xander Schauffele +2000 Collin Morikawa +2500 Tommy Fleetwood +3500 Ludvig Aberg +3500 Joaquin Niemann +4000 Justin Thomas +4000 Tyrrell Hatton +4500 Sepp Straka +5000 Patrick Cantlay +5000 Brooks Koepka +5500 Shane Lowry +5500 Corey Conners +6000 Viktor Hovland +6000 Russell Henley +6500 Jordan Spieth +7000 Hideki Matsuyama +7000 Predictions for U.S. Open Winner Over Par This year's tournament is expected to be a bloodbath. Several players including McIlroy have taken practice rounds at Oakmont recently, leaving the impression of carnage. 🚨😳⛳️ #LOOK — Ben Griffin shows off the thick, 5+ inch rough at Oakmont's 1st hole. U.S. Open week is officially upon us. (Via bengriffingolf / TT) — NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) June 8, 2025 The rough is unbelievably deep and thick. The greens are exceptionally fast. If a player manages to finish under par, that might be a small miracle. For these reasons, I firmly believe the winning score come Sunday evening will be at least a few strokes over par. When Dustin Johnson won the U.S. Open here in 2016 at 5-under, the conditions were not nearly as brutal. But also, it was the first time in PGA Tour history a player led the field in Driving Distance, Greens in Regulation, and Scrambling. It is highly unlikely we see that again. The winner of the tournament will be the player whose bogey avoidance is at its strongest. This week will be all about hitting fairways, missing in the right spots, and avoiding big numbers. Rory McIlroy Misses the Cut The Northern Irishman finally got the monkey off his back winning the Masters. That also completed the career grand slam. But since that time, his game appears to have fallen off a cliff. After he was forced to switch out drivers ahead of the PGA Championship, his strength from the tee has disappeared. Last week, McIlroy posted his worst 36-hole finish of his PGA Tour career, finishing 149th and missing the cut. Knowing what the rough at Oakmont looks like, expect Rory to be hacking through 36 holes and heading home early. Best U.S. Open Bets on the Board Sepp Straka Top 5 at +800 When we are looking for value, look no further than Straka. The Austrian pro is having an exceptional season on the PGA Tour. He already has two wins, the American Express and the Truist Championship (previously Wells Fargo). The latter of which is played at another highly challenging course at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. He ranks third in the FedEx Cup standings due to his stellar play and consistency. Straka has two wins, five top 10s, and is coming off a strong third-place finish at The Memorial. Beyond that, he ranks among the best on Tour in some key statistics: namely the aforementioned Greens in Regulation (2nd) and Strokes Gained: Approach the Green (2nd). At 8-to-1, I will happily toss a few bucks on the four-time PGA Tour winner to finish on the leaderboard. Viktor Hovland to Win +5500 DUBLIN, OH - MAY 29: Viktor Hovland of Norway laughs on the putting green during the 1st round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday 2025 at Muirfield Village Golf Club on May 29, 2025... DUBLIN, OH - MAY 29: Viktor Hovland of Norway laughs on the putting green during the 1st round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday 2025 at Muirfield Village Golf Club on May 29, 2025 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Miller/) MoreOk, I know I wrote that the winner will likely come from the top 20. But it can be argued that Hovland is the best player on Tour without a major to his resume. He has won 11 PGA Tour and DP World Tour events, was a Ryder Cup stalwart, and captured the 2023 Tour Championship. After a year in which he was searching for his game, the Norwegian has shown signs of life this year. He snapped his winless skid when Hovland won the Valspar. He has four other top 25s to his credit in 10 starts. Historically speaking, Hovi has four top 10 finishes in majors since 2022. So, he has shown he has the gumption to be there at the end. Of course, his biggest bugaboo has been his Strokes Gained: Around the Green. But with the rough looking the way it does at Oakmont for this U.S. Open, that weakness may not be as glaring. How the ball comes out of that thick stuff will largely be dependent on luck. On a related note, in his 19 major appearances, he has curiously gained strokes around the green in 12 of them. Not to mention the oversized greens at Oakmont present several chances to play it safe and two-putt for par. Players won't be doing much pin seeking and playing it safe is something I expect Hovland to do a lot of this week. At 55-to-1 and his skill level, it is worth a few shekels. Bryson DeChambeau Top 5 at +190 DeChambeau will once again be one of the betting favorites. His ability to hit it so far off the tee will undoubtedly be an advantage. As we discussed, if someone is not able to hit it straight, they will suffer the consequences. But unlike some other U.S. Open courses the USGA set up, this one is not incredibly long. I expect DeChambeau to attempt to simply overpower the course as he did in 2020 at Winged Foot. He will be looking at a lot of 75 yard chips out of thick rough, but everyone if they miss the fairway, will be in much tougher shape. I do not believe he will win, but a top five is not out of the question for the two-time U.S. Open champion. More Golf: Scottie Scheffler Tweaks Tour Schedule with Major Ramifications

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store