Matt Barrie: 5 Things to Watch For with TGL Golf as New League Debuts Tuesday Night
Barrie, who will provide play-by-play commentary on the innovative approach to pro golf, says: "To me the best thing about the Ryder Cup is that it’s a team sport. And fans galvanize around the team. The same thing will happen in TGL."
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The new tech-centric, prime time TGL presented by SoFi golf league debuts Tuesday night, with ESPN and ESPN+ carrying live coverage of the inaugural match at 9 p.m. ET. The fast-paced indoor league was founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TMRW Sports in partnership with the PGA TOUR.
TGL’s first-ever match pits the New York Golf Club (Xander Schauffele, Matt Fitzpatrick, Rickie Fowler) against The Bay Golf Club (Ludvig Åberg, Wyndham Clark, Shane Lowry).
Matt Barrie will be the play-by-play commentator for ESPN’s full season of TGL telecasts, joined by reporter Marty Smith and host Scott Van Pelt. In addition, Barrie will co-host the 2 p.m. ET edition of
Barrie, who has spent many days at TGL’s purpose-built SoFi Center here in rehearsals and preparation for the league’s launch, gave Front Row five things he feels viewers should watch for and expect:
TEAM GOLF: “To me the best thing about the Ryder Cup is that it’s a team sport. And fans galvanize around the team. The same thing will happen in TGL. Tiger, Rory, Xander, JT [Justin Thomas], aren’t playing for themselves. They’re playing with teammates. That will make it exciting.”
THE TRASH TALK: “Golf is a gentlemen’s sport. Hats off and handshakes. Not TGL. We’re encouraging and want the trash talk. The players are mic’d up for a reason. I can’t wait to see who emerges as the league’s best trash-talker.”
THE STRATEGY: “This isn’t just swing away. There are several layers of strategy involved. Where to hit it. When to use the hammer (increases hole by a point), when to use a timeout. Getting to hear these thoughts out loud among the world’s best will be fascinating.”
THE FIRST HOLE IN ONE: “There has yet to be a hole-in-one made during rehearsals or the hours of play leading up to the first match. Who gets it? And what’s the reaction?”
CELEB SIGHTINGS: “I have a feeling as the weeks go on, more celebrities and star athletes will show up to the So-Fi Center to see TGL in person. The rumored guest list is already amazing. I can’t wait to see how it grows.”
