The TGL is nice enjoyable. However he would make it even higher

We’re making an attempt to not be hasty. We’re making an attempt to be sensible. We’re making an attempt to be affected person, even. (And perhaps we’re failing!) However the TGL is undoubtedly good enjoyable, having lived as much as a lot of its lofty guarantees in its debut this week. To see a golf model truly ship what it stated it will appears oddly particular on this second, nevertheless it solely encourages you to surprise … what might TGL seem like at its peak? 

Or somewhat, who might get entangled at its peak?

Opening night time on the SoFi Middle was undoubtedly successful. Following it’s Tiger Woods’ debut on the mixed-reality setup, coming Tuesday. The league may have no downside advertising that (and the remainder of Woods’ appearances) by way of the primetime attain of ESPN. However because the season pushes ahead and any remaining kinks within the system are hammered out, it is going to turn into obvious that the TGL has a ton of expertise — simply not all the expertise. 

With simply six groups of 4 gamers every, most of the greatest names within the sport are concerned, however many others aren’t. Which is the very first thing I consider when discussing TGL’s room for progress towards its theoretical ceiling. Who else might get entangled to make area golf as huge as it may be?

The reply isn’t essentially Scottie Scheffler, the perfect participant on the earth. Neither is it Jordan Spieth, the three-time main champion who stays well-liked as ever however who can be recovering from a wrist damage that required surgical procedure. Each gamers hail from Texas and each would make TGL a stronger product, little doubt. However each had the choice of becoming a member of, and each declined. Spieth and Scheffler weren’t concerned with including additional journey to their schedules as they elevate younger households in Dallas. 

Slightly, there’s one other Dallas resident who would supply all the recognition of Spieth and many of the efficiency of Scheffler. It’s Bryson DeChambeau. 

DeChambeau appears customized made for TGL, along with his analytics-heavy method. The spin charges measured and spit out on display by TGL simulators — DeChambeau might recite them from really feel himself. The ever-changing slopes of the shape-shifting inexperienced would ship him spinning — in a you-can’t-look-away sort of means. (Whether or not he likes it or not, a pissed off DeChambeau is nearly as entertaining as giddy DeChambeau.)

The person loves being on digicam, and performing on the middle of our collective consideration. Look no additional than the moments after his U.S. Open win at Pinehurst, the place he joined Stay From on Golf Channel, teaching Johnson Wagner on how one can hit the bunker shot that received the title for DeChambeau. He practices fist-pump celebrations within the mirror. Daily of his present life is a content material day.

You’ll be able to think about DeChambeau racing to the sting of the world to rile up followers, appearing as gladiatorial as professional golfers might presumably be. The financial worth of the TGL product is on tv, however the actual glue of this sports activities product is within the aura of the world, the place about half of the spectators sit in additional muted hospitality zones. For, say, Week 7 of the TGL season to have juice, it’ll want golfers working exhausting to offer it, utilizing extra than simply their 7-irons. 

One other essential ingredient of DeChambeau: he’s not everybody’s cup of tea. He by no means has been. However DeChambeau has grown in recognition in latest months, due largely to his content material creation and alignment with numerous YouTube golfers. He has hosted extraordinarily well-liked “Break 50” competitions with everybody from Tom Brady to president-elect Donald Trump. He even joined Trump on stage throughout election season. 

All of which makes him very seen, however not essentially beloved by all. (He additionally performs at a plodding sufficient tempo that shot clock violations would definitely be in play.) Many PGA Tour loyalists have resisted the latest DeChambeau surge, holding agency in opposition to his leaving for LIV Golf and becoming a member of a lawsuit in opposition to the PGA Tour. His mere presence would add some assured vitality to the proceedings, realizing how a lot a number of the TGL gamers want to beat him. Or how a lot spectators could take pleasure in rooting in opposition to him. 

Sadly, DeChambeau as TGL golfer isn’t within the playing cards … at the very least proper now. He has his personal group golf to fret about elsewhere, beginning in Saudi Arabia in just some weeks. And TGL is partly owned by the PGA Tour, which suggests no LIV golfers will probably be participating, at the very least not earlier than the Tour and the Saudi PIF finalize a deal that reunifies the game. However might we see it occur down the street? 

In a world the place the Tour and the PIF finalize a deal, it will be among the many first few questions requested. Getting DeChambeau to participate within the Gamers Championship can be excessive on the precedence listing, however slating him into the Tour’s shiny, new, tech-infused side-gig couldn’t be too far behind. 

Would you wish to see DeChambeau within the TGL? Who else would you somewhat see? Feedback are welcomed by the creator at sean.zak@golf.com.