Tiger Woods Makes Latest Jibe At LIV Golf After Launching Jupiter Links TGL Club
The 15-time Major winner said he "couldn't figure what the hell was going on" at times when watching the PIF-backed Tour
Tiger Woods has taken his latest swipe at LIV Golf - saying he has struggled to understand some of the breakaway Tour's format - and insists TGL's impending launch will be "very simple."
Woods and Rory McIlroy's TMRW Sports is behind the launch of TGL - a tech-infused league, featuring 24 of the best PGA Tour players, which was specifically made for primetime TV in the USA. It is set to take place inside a custom-built arena in south Florida and will see six clubs face off across three months of action - with each 15-hole match taking place early in the week and lasting no more than two hours.
The 15-time Major winner made the comments after being confirmed as the owner of the sixth and final TGL team, Jupiter Links Golf Club on Tuesday - a franchise he will also play for as part of their four-man roster.
Speaking to the Associated Press, Woods said: "Some of the stuff I've seen in LIV [Golf]... I couldn't figure out what the hell was going on. Here it's very simple."
TGL will see golfers compete by hitting longer shots into an enlarged simulator screen off either real fairway, rough, or sand in front of around 1,600 fans. Once the shot becomes short enough, players will switch their attention to the short-game area which features an adaptable synthetic green that can rotate 360 degrees and create a wide variety of different contours.
In a statement released via his social media channels, Woods added: "Generally, golf takes about five or six hours to play. In today's world, with all of our smartphones, it is hard for anybody to go five to six hours without looking at their phones. So the shorter the time, the better it is."
Next on the tee, representing Jupiter, FL: Jupiter Links Golf Club!Our sixth and final team ownership group is led by @TigerWoods and David Blitzer... and Tiger himself is the first player on the team’s roster. 🔥Learn more: https://t.co/ARYqmYG55Z pic.twitter.com/hULlmWfl0yNovember 7, 2023
Woods has long been a hearty critic of the PIF-backed League and has previously questioned what the young players in particular are doing to "earn it in the dirt" by failing to experience a full schedule on Tour.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
The 47-year-old also pointed to the fact that some LIV members may never play in a Major championship event if the stipulations around world ranking points do not change in favor of LIV.
Speaking ahead of the 150th Open at St Andrews last year, he said: "I think that what they've done is they've turned their back on what has allowed them to get to this position. Some players have never got a chance to even experience it. They've gone right from the amateur ranks right into that organisation and never really got a chance to play out here and what it feels like to play a Tour schedule or to play in some big events.
"But what these players are doing for guaranteed money, what is the incentive to practise? What is the incentive to go out there and earn it in the dirt? You're just getting paid a lot of money up front and playing a few events and playing 54 holes. They're playing blaring music and have all these atmospheres that are different.
"I just don't see how that move is positive in the long term for a lot of these players, especially if the LIV organisation doesn't get world ranking points and the Major championships change their criteria for entering the events. It would be sad to see some of these young kids never get a chance to experience it and experience what we've got a chance to experience and walk these hallowed grounds and play in these championships."
TGL's first week of competition is due to take place on Tuesday, January 9 at 9pm ET (2am GMT).
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and is hoping to reach his Handicap goal of 18 at some stage. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
All-Century Golf Bag: Which 14 Clubs From 2000-2024 Make The Cut?
Fergus Bisset considers popularity, reviews, innovation and his own opinion to select an all-century bag, driver to putter. Do you agree with his selections?
By Fergus Bisset Published
-
You Can Now Buy TAG Heuer Golf Watches At PGA TOUR Superstore, And Boy Do I Want One!
TAG Heuer golf watches are as premium as it gets in the golf space, and I cannot stress enough how much I want one...
By Sam Tremlett Published
-
LIV Golf Pair Hint At Ryder Cup-Style Match Against PGA Tour
Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau have hinted that their 'Showdown' match with Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler could be just a preview of a Ryder Cup style LIV Golf-PGA Tour clash in the future
By Paul Higham Published
-
Brooks And Bryson 'Would Have Put Up A Good Fight' Against Scheffler In 2024
Brooks Koepka says he and Bryson DeChambeau would have given Scottie Scheffler a "good fight" had they played on the PGA Tour
By Paul Higham Published
-
Korean No.1 Withdraws From PGA Tour Q-School To Join LIV Golf On 'Multi-Year Deal'
Korean Tour No.1, Yubin Jang has signed with the LIV Golf League after pulling out of the PGA Tour's final stage of qualifying...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
LIV Golf Transfer Window: How All 13 Teams Are Shaping Up
After three full seasons, attention now turns to the fourth year of the LIV Golf League and, between now and the start in February, there's plenty to be sorted...
By Matt Cradock Published
-
LIV Golf Promotions Full Field, Format And What You Need To Know
Ahead of this week's LIV Golf Promotions at Riyadh Golf Club, the full field has been confirmed - and several notable names have been included...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Which Tournaments LIV Golfers Won In 2024
LIV Golfers won a lot of tournaments worldwide this year outside of the 54-hole circuit...
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Greg Norman Confirms He’s Being Replaced As LIV Golf CEO
The Australian told WISH-TV that he will be replaced as LIV Golf CEO, but that he’ll have a part to play in “some capacity”
By Mike Hall Published
-
LIV Golfer Talor Gooch Buys Up Second Sports Franchise
The Smash GC player has followed his investment in a Professional Bull Riders franchise with the purchase of a Sport Fishing Championship team
By Mike Hall Published