The inaugural TGL season wrapped up in dramatic fashion, solidifying its place in the golfing world.

Despite initial skepticism surrounding the arena-based simulator tournament, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods pushed forward with their vision.

The format, backed by the PGA Tour, has now won over fans if the excitement of Tuesday’s finale is any indication.

After winning Monday night’s opener, Atlanta Drive GC staged an incredible comeback to take Match 2 of the final series, securing a 4-3 victory over New York Golf Club and claiming a 2-0 series win.

With the victory, Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Justin Thomas, and Lucas Glover split the $9 million prize, becoming the first-ever TGL champions.

A viral moment from the final saw Horschel sinking a crucial putt before celebrating with an X-rated club toss, sparking widespread reaction online.

Mickelson’s Surprising Take on TGL’s Success

Golf podcaster Dan Rapaport shared a clip of Horschel’s celebration along with his thoughts on the tournament’s impact.

“TGL a huge success in Year 1. Plain and simple,” he posted on X. “So many viral moments.

“Additive to the current landscape without taking anything away. Enjoyed it way more than I thought I would and I think a tonnnnn of people feel the same way.”

One of the unexpected voices in agreement was Phil Mickelson, who was barred from participating due to his move to LIV Golf.

“That’s great news! It would be great for golf if this were to succeed,” Mickelson commented.

“The golf fan is the most loyal fan in sports. Buy a ticket, walk miles and see a fraction of the action, but this could allow the golf fan to buy a ticket, sit down and watch the action just like other sports.

“It could really be good for the game if it’s compelling.”

With speculation growing, fans have expressed hope that Mickelson, Jon Rahm, and Bryson DeChambeau could participate in future editions.

This may become possible if discussions aimed at uniting the PGA Tour and LIV Golf prove successful.

Atlanta Drive’s Dramatic Comeback

After losing 6-5 in the opener, New York Golf Club seemed poised to force a decider as Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler, and Cameron Young raced to a 3-0 lead.

However, Atlanta Drive responded, winning back-to-back holes before Horschel delivered a game-changing moment.

On the penultimate hole, he activated the hammer, doubling the available points, before draining a brilliant 18-foot birdie to put his team ahead.

New York’s four-man squad, which included Matt Fitzpatrick, took home $4.5 million for finishing second.

The decisive moment came when Cantlay chipped his ball to three feet, matching Young’s birdie and sealing Atlanta’s championship victory.

Reflecting on the tournament, Horschel shared his excitement.

“I think we all have had a lot of fun,” he said.

“Obviously, it is a little bit of a challenge with everything we’ve got going through the year with our own schedules, but I don’t think anyone has ever walked away and said this felt like a burden.

“It’s just something new and exciting and we all enjoyed it. To walk away as champions with these guys is pretty cool.”

Schauffele also praised Horschel’s energy and clutch performance.

“I figured Billy Ho [Horschel] has got a lot of energy, but anyone running around that much is going to run out of steam,” he joked.

“Billy is a dog. He made some really big putts when he needed to.”

With TGL’s first season proving to be a success, the future looks promising for the innovative tournament format.

Paul McGinley, a Golf Channel analyst and former DP World Tour board member, believes the PGA Tour should consider adopting a key feature of LIV Golf’s structure to improve its sustainability and competitiveness.

McGinley argues that the current model, which allows players to pick and choose tournaments, is outdated in the modern era of billion-dollar TV deals and media rights.

The Problem with Independent Contractors

McGinley explained that the PGA Tour’s reliance on players as independent contractors is no longer practical.

“I think as we’ve moved into the modern day, with billion-dollar TV contracts, media rights, and multi-billion-dollar businesses that sport has become, particularly golf, we need to evolve away from being a members organization,” he told Sky Sports.

“That includes moving away from independent traders for players picking and choosing the tournaments they want to play in. For the good of the game.”

Signature Events and Player Obligations

In response to LIV Golf’s emergence, the PGA Tour introduced designated (now signature) events in 2023.

Players were required to participate in all but one of these tournaments to retain their full Player Impact Program (PIP) bonus.

Rory McIlroy, for example, was fined $3 million for skipping two events. While the policy was relaxed in 2024, McGinley believes the Tour needs more control over its product.

“If it’s going to be really run as a business and compete against the NBA, NFL, soccer, etc., the administration needs to be more in control of the product,” McGinley said. “It’s very difficult to be in control of the product when you don’t know who is playing and you’re hoping the players are going to turn up.”

Learning from LIV Golf

LIV Golf’s model, which contracts players and requires them to compete in every event, is something McGinley thinks the PGA Tour should consider. “It’s one of the things that I think LIV have got right,” he said.

“I’m not saying pay the players less, but pay them differently. If they’re contracted, and you know what you’re selling, then it’s a whole different conversation from the business of golf.”

McGinley also emphasized the importance of top players competing internationally. “I’d love to see Scheffler, Morikawa, Schauffele, and those guys travel a bit more,” he said.

“They finish in the middle of August and, unless it’s a Ryder Cup year, they don’t play until January. I don’t think that’s a great dynamic for the game.”

McGinley’s comments follow his recent proposal for unity between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

He suggested allowing the top 10 LIV golfers to participate in five PGA Tour signature events and The Players Championship, while the PGA Tour could field two teams in LIV’s season-ending Team Championship.

By adopting a more structured approach, McGinley believes the PGA Tour can better compete with other major sports leagues and ensure the long-term growth of golf.

His insights highlight the need for innovation and collaboration in a rapidly evolving sport.

Joaquin Niemann continued his red-hot form on the LIV Golf circuit, securing his second win in three tournaments with a commanding performance in Singapore.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Lucas Herbert saw his hopes of a maiden LIV Golf victory crumble during the final round at Sentosa Golf Club.

Niemann, the 26-year-old Chilean star, delivered a flawless six-under 65 on Sunday, the only bogey-free round of the day.

His dominant display saw him finish at 17-under 196, five shots clear of his nearest rival, Brooks Koepka, who matched Niemann’s final-round 65. Koepka, last year’s Singapore winner, was the only player to come close to challenging Niemann.

“Today was one of those days,” said Niemann, who also triumphed at LIV Golf Adelaide a month ago. “Everything went my way.” Niemann’s victory was all but sealed after he carded five birdies on the front nine, a start he credited with settling his nerves. “Yeah, I was a little bit nervous, you’re always nervous before a round about what’s going to happen,” he said. “It really kind of freed me up for the rest of the round, starting with a birdie on the first hole, and then being able to birdie the third and the fourth. Because of that start, I was able to be really, really free for the whole round.”

With this win, Niemann now leads the LIV Golf individual points standings, putting him in prime position to earn an exemption into the US Open if he maintains his form over the next few months.

Herbert’s Struggles and Ripper GC’s Disappointment

For Lucas Herbert, the final round was a stark contrast to Niemann’s brilliance. The 29-year-old Australian, who started the day tied for third, struggled to find his rhythm, carding a three-over 74 to finish tied for 14th at five under.

Herbert’s round was marred by six bogeys, derailing any chance of a late charge.

Herbert’s Ripper GC teammates also endured a tough day. Captain Cameron Smith shot a 72 to finish tied for 19th at four under, while Matt Jones carded a 71 to end the tournament at level par (tied-32nd).

Marc Leishman struggled the most, finishing nine over after a 72, leaving him tied for 51st. As a team, Ripper GC finished 10th in the 13-team standings, a far cry from their championship-winning form last year.

Fireballs GC Claim Team Victory

Despite their individual struggles, the team event saw Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC claim their third consecutive tournament win. The Spanish-led squad overcame an eight-shot deficit at the start of the day, even as Garcia battled bronchitis.

Their resilience and strong team performance highlighted the depth and determination within the Fireballs lineup.

Niemann’s victory in Singapore cements his status as one of LIV Golf’s standout performers this season, while Herbert and Ripper GC will look to regroup and bounce back in their next outing.

For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Niemann, whose sizzling form shows no signs of cooling down.