Adam Scott likes shot clock on TGL debut as debates about pace of play continue to stir golf

Slow play is becoming a scourge of golf around the world, but an innovation unveiled in Tiger Woods’ indoor league is gathering support.

Adam Scott says the 40-second shot clock he experienced for the first time on his debut for the indoor Tomorrow Golf League was “about right” but still took some adjusting to as pace of play issues continue to dog the game.

Despite playing arguably the best shot in the fledgling TGL’s history as part of Rory McIlroy’s Boston Common team, Scott found himself on the end a loss to Tiger Woods’ Jupiter Links outfit in the made-for-TV tournament’s first-ever playoff.

The TV ratings for the simulator showdown declined over the first three weeks, casting some doubt over the long-term future of the concept, developed in part by Woods and McIlroy who said the close contest was “what the league needed”.

With 15-time major champion Woods taking on McIlroy, and Scott thrown in for good measure, the trio helped create one of the most competitive matches so far.

Woods’ team, comprising himself, young gun Tom Kim and veteran Kevin Kisner, won a three-man nearest to the pin competition over Scott, McIlroy and US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley.

A historic moment for @JupiterLinksGC

📺: @espnpic.twitter.com/I2LAS4NZC6

— TGL (@TGL) January 28, 2025

Scott said the impact of the shot clock was clear, coming in the wake of a blow-up by seasoned PGA Tour commentators at last week’s Farmers Insurance open at Torrey Pines.

Pace of play has been put on the agenda by leading players too, including women’s world No.1 Nelly Korda, and Woods copped the first-ever TGL time violation while putting as Scott said it created the “right tempo”, if only for the indoor competition.

“It’s a slight adjustment, Tiger got a time violation, you have to be careful,” he said.

“But I think for this format it’s creating a good tempo. It’s about right … you have just enough time, but you can’t mess around or you’re going to be stressing getting over the shot and it could lead to an error.”

🚨⏰🐅 Tiger Woods with the first shot clock violation in TGL history 😲

pic.twitter.com/xiuw8y1l7M

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) January 28, 2025

Scott said he was surprised by the pressure he felt playing in the “different” environment for the first time.

“The music, the turf conditions, all these things to adjust to under the pressure and there was pressure,” he said.

“We were in a tight match and the shots down the end counted. It was a fun match.”

Scott, who played his tee shots to the sounds of Men at Work’s Down Under and INXS’ Never Tear Us Apart, produced a highlight too, nearly making the competition’s first-ever albatross, coming close to holing his second shot into the par 5 called Sidewinder.

All the holes played by competitors are computer generated to demand creativity before work around the green becomes real with bunkers and a shapeshifting putting surface for players to finish off their long shots whacked into a massive screen.

High-five worthy, for sure.

📺: @espnpic.twitter.com/uXP6Pa5S4p

— TGL (@TGL) January 28, 2025

After noting the two low weeks after a big opening night, McIlroy said the players “can’t guarantee” close contests but acknowledged it could be crucial to the TGL’s success.

“The nature of competition is you are going to have some matches that are blowouts and some that are really tight,” he said.

“It was really cool tonight was one of those matches that was really tight. It certainly helps from an entertaining perspective … but that’s something we can’t guarantee.”



Originally published as Adam Scott likes shot clock on TGL debut as debates about pace of play continue to stir golf