Tiger Woods' TGL debut, LIV's big TV deal, Teen Genius: Tour Confidential

Check out our writers and editors for their unfiltered opinions on the hottest topics in the sport every week, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we'll look back at Tiger Woods' TGL debut, break down LIV Golf's new TV deal, predict who will have the best season at LIV, and look back at Blades Brown's pro debut.

Tiger Woods made his TGL debut on Tuesday as his Jupiter Links team lost to Los Angeles in the second edition of the new-tech-packed league. What are your thoughts on Tiger the Player and Tiger the Entertainer?

James Colgan, News and Features Editor (@jamescolgan26): I think Tiger proves why TGL built their business around him. He's funny enough that no matter what he's doing, he gets the world's attention. This is great value for any form of golf, including simulator golf.

Josh Schrock, associate news editor (@Schrock_And_Awe): No doubt people will continue to watch Tiger mash the ball onto simulator screens. Otherwise we can only see him four or five times a year. But Tiger the Entertainer still needs some work. His best moment on the mic was probably when he cried while laughing at Kevin Kisner's gag rocket and saying his mom was shushing him. The league needs more from him in this area to achieve long-term growth.

Alan Bastable, Executive Editor (@alan_bastable): The dream scenario would be to play the Tigers' best in a simulated league that requires little to no walking. But that didn't happen. Instead, Woods looks average at best…well, as average as Tiger Woods looks, anyway. His speed looks good, but his iron play and short game leave a lot to be desired. Tiger laughed out loud after Kizzi's bunker miss, which was funny because it showed us Tiger in a condition we rarely see him in. But it goes without saying that TGL needs Woods to react more to good shots than bad shots if this thing is to succeed.

TGL's long-awaited debut on ESPN two weeks ago drew 919,000 general viewers, and Tiger's debut last week pushed that number to over 1 million. Now that viewers know what TGL is (and won't be seeing Tiger this week), what do you hope to see in the ratings? Can TGL continue to improve ratings? How much will we learn from next week's data?

Colgan: The biggest problem facing TGL still lies ahead of them. Will people continue to care when the novelty and tiger factor wears off? Ratings will drop, but by how much? I'd say anything in the 700-800K range again this week would be a win.

Schrock: I agree, James. It's no surprise that more than a million people tuned in to watch “Cats” step out of “Eye of the Tiger” and romp with Max Homa and Kevin Kisner. I expect Tiger to be the big name in two weeks when he comes back and faces Rory's team. But how many people will watch Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay and Billy Horschel take on Rickie Fowler, Cameron Young and Matt Fitzpatrick? If there isn't a big drop this week, TGL should feel good about the opportunity to build some type of audience while working out the issues.

Bastable: It's hard to imagine that this week's numbers won't be affected, and not just by Tiger's absence. If you tuned in to the first two games, you would have witnessed two dramatic blowouts and the baffling looks on world-class players' faces as they watched a wedge shot that looked stuck miss its target by 10 or 15 yards. Both developments may leave viewers hesitant to return for the third week in a row.

Speaking of TV ratings, LIV Golf will kick off the 2025 season with a long-awaited TV deal with Fox that ensures more than half of the season's schedule will be broadcast live on Fox or FS1, as well as on other Fox properties Additional competitions are available on. While it's obvious that it should boost LIV's ratings, how much of an impact do you think it will have in terms of eyeballs and increased interest? A little, or a lot?

Colgan: I would say this TV deal is Greg Norman's legacy as CEO of LIV. He persuaded his friends the Murdoch family to sign up to LIV, legitimizing the league's television audience for at least two years. But will this deal really happen? legalization League? I'm very skeptical. I think most golf fans have made up their minds about LIV by now.

Schrock: LIV Miami airing on FOX or FS1 instead of the CW and Caffeine TV is a definite improvement, but I don't think it's a reason for fans to suddenly flock to watch LIV now. After three seasons, fans who love LIV and the content it presents will be watching, and everyone else will either tune in to watch the PGA Tour or go out and play golf themselves. For most people, airing LIV before the latest episode of 9-1-1 Lone Star won't make a difference.

Bastable: Yes, simply showing LIV games on network television won't solve the league's ratings problem. For most fans, the stakes at LIV events remain low, as there are very few stakes beyond the cash in the cart. yes At stake. Of course, that could all change – and whatever the PIF and PGA Tour are planning could bring a little more gravitas to the LIV tournament. And you have to think the brass at Fox have some insight into what that plan might be.

Tyrrell Hatton defeated Daniel Hillier to win the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday, his second win in his last five starts since the end of the 2024 LIV season Since then, he has finished in the top 10 in all six races. Is Hatton ready to be LIV golf's best player in 2025? If not, who will?

Colgan: Jon Rahm! He's officially about to play in the majors. Furthermore, if Bryson maintains his 2024 form, he will be the favorite in every major,

Schrock: I think Hatton is the main sleeper contender. He played well at LIV and has now won two DP World Tour titles in his last few tournaments. But I think Ram will be. He knows what people thought of him after a poor Grand Slam season last year, and I think he'll come back strong this year. I would go with Rahm, Bryson and then Hatton. But don’t be surprised if Hatton contends and wins at Quail Valley or Oakmont.

Bastable: This is Bryson's world (and YouTube channel); we're all just living in it. He’s got another big win this year and maybe a few more. LIV should draft the BDC in as many ways as possible.

Seventeen-year-old Blades Brown made his debut at The American Express and missed the cut but shot an impressive 64 in the second round on the Nicklaus Championship Course. What did you think of this young talent's performance?

Colgan: Maybe it's redundant, but he looks so young. It reminds you that he's many, many years away from the peak of his sport, but he's chasing the cutline in his PGA Tour debut. There is a bright future ahead.

Schrock: I'm just as impressed with his mental maturity and vision as I am with his game. I think he justified his decision to turn pro at 17 years old.

Bastable: There was a time, not that long ago, when we couldn't imagine college-age players being fully prepared for the PGA Tour. Now we say the same thing about high school age players. Kids these days! also, Blade brown. What a great name. He was destined for great things.

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