Tiger Woods' TGL debut ended in heavy defeat as Jupiter Links Golf Club was defeated 12-1 by Los Angeles Golf Club in the season opener.
The former world No. 1 lined up alongside Max Homme and Kevin Kisner for his first match in the technology-infused golf league, founded by Woods and Rory McIlroy's company TMRW Sports, which pits PGA Tour stars against each other in teams and using a hybrid of virtual and real games.
Woods emerged from the tunnel to Survivor's 'Eye of the Tiger' at the SoFi Center, but saw his side quickly fall 5-0 after just four holes in the 15-hole event, which uses alternative shots – or threes – for the front nine – hole session before switching to singles.
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Woods walked out to the SoFi Center for 'Eye of the Tiger' and was greeted by a huge roar from the TGL fans!
Their only point in the game came in succession at the sixth, as Los Angeles Golf Club finished the session with an 8-1 advantage, and Collin Morikawa, Justin Rose and Sahith Theegala added three holes in singles to extend their winning margin to one. – sided contest.
With the win, Los Angeles GC earned two points to move into a tie with The Bay Golf Club – which defeated New York Golf Club 9-2 in last week's inaugural match – atop the season-long SoFi Cup standings, with Woods' Jupiter Links. – the bottom of the league with six teams.
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Woods appeared to struggle on the 13th hole during his TGL debut where he hit a tee shot into the water and followed that up with a bunker shot a few shots later
Tiger fights in TGL opener
Woods immediately dropped the 'Hammer', which gives the team a chance to put their opponents under pressure by doubling the value of the hole, although both teams took a share of the spoils with par first.
A chaotic par-five second saw both Homa and Woods go into the water, allowing Jupiter Links to win the hole with a bogey, despite Theegala also spotting the hazard, while Rose rolled in a 10-foot birdie on the par-3 for a two-point victory with 'Hammer'.
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Tiger arrives at the SoFi Center in style with his son Charlie, accompanied by tennis legend Serena Williams
Jupiter Links grabbed two more points with the 'Hammer' at the fourth after Kisner found the penalty spot and Woods couldn't convert his seven-foot bogey to split the hole, but holed an eight-footer at the next to avoid falling further behind.
Theegala sent his tee shot into the hazard at the sixth and the hole conceded after Morikawa missed their putt for par, but Rose birdied the eighth and Los Angeles won the ninth with the 'Hammer' to take an 8- 1 in singles.
Woods' Jupiter Links Golf Club was badly beaten in the TGL season opener
Rose and Woods bogeyed the 10th and a par was enough for Morikawa to beat Kisner at the 11th, before Woods hit his tee shot into the rough at the 13th and made two bunker shots en route to losing the hole.
Woods and the players were left in stitches by Kisner's comical sand fist at the 14th, which hit a flag and flew to the other side of the playing arena, with Morikawa winning that hole and Theegala claiming the last after Homa conceded.
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In a funny sequence of events, Kevin Kisner hit a ball out of the bunker that luckily hit the flag, then followed it up by nearly making his next shot
Woods finds humor in losing
“We had fun,” Woods said. “We hit a lot of shots. I think people here need to see how bad the pros can be. It was just a boat race. Oh my God. But we had a good time.
“I don't know how much (skill) was evident today; I don't have any golf skills. Hey, it's the start of the new year. We had a great time. I hope people tuned in for the whole broadcast.”
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Tiger Woods reflects on the hilarious moment during a TGL match where Kevin Kisner hit a bunker shot.
Of the incident with Kisner on the 14th hole, Woods added: “Honestly, we didn't think anyone could hit here. But it was one of the funniest moments I've ever seen, Kis (Kisner) hit that shot like we just dying.”
what's next
The next TGL match sees New York Golf Club back in action on January 22 against Atlanta Drive GC (12pm UK kick-off), before Jupiter Links GC take on Rory McIlroy's Boston Common Golf on January 27 (11.30pm kick-off).
Los Angeles GC next match against Boston Common Golf on Wednesday February 5th (2am kick-off), with each match seasons 2025 and 2026 exclusively live on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, majors and more INSTANTLY.
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