If the TGL has taught us anything in its two-episode existence, it’s that televised golf can live outside its traditional time windows.
One of the smartest things the new league did was identify a time – typically Tuesday nights during the coldest months of the year – when football is quiet, the NBA and NHL are in the midst of their seemingly endless seasons and college basketball, well, it’s not what it used to be.
The TGL has been rewarded with impressive ratings, this past Tuesday night drawing more than 1 million viewers, more than doubling what the final round of the Sentry attracted two Sundays ago. A big part of it was curiosity about the new technology-heavy league and part of it was because the NFL giant was taking a break.
Tournament golf has a cadence but there are times when the Thursday through Sunday model needs to be tweaked.
Perhaps the PGA Tour should borrow from the TGL and next year play both the season-opening Sentry and the Sony Open in Hawaii Monday through Thursday or Tuesday through Friday, assuring prime-time exposure with meaningful trophies attached.
Tournament golf has a cadence but there are times when the Thursday through Sunday model needs to be tweaked. This week, the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines will finish on Saturday rather than Sunday, an admission that almost everyone would rather watch the NFC and AFC Championship games on Sunday, which is why the tournament has started and finished a day early since 2022.
Playing the two Hawaii events during the week doesn’t mean viewers would rush to watch them the way they have to see “Landman” but it assures the conclusion won’t be obscured by the NFL and likely earns the champions a bit more exposure than they get now.
There are, no doubt, plenty of reasons why this isn’t likely to be done but it’s worth a shot. Tour officials and others are quick to point out the innovations and changes in their product so, while they’re at it, give the Monday through Thursday model a try.
They played Sunday through Wednesday on the Korn Ferry Tour last week and, while it’s not a ratings bonanza, it gets away from the NFL playoffs.
While we’re at it, start the final round of the WM Phoenix Open on Super Bowl Sunday early enough so there’s no chance a potential playoff might bump up against kickoff. Set the finish two hours early so the guacamole is still fresh for golf fans when they switch over.
The TGL has shown there is a new way for golf. Perhaps it’s time for the PGA Tour to find new days to play in early January.
Ron Green Jr.
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