Why Tiger Woods’ TGL opening night a big hit for fans: Here’s what stood out most

PALM BEACH GARDENS — An unscientific survey of fans at Tuesday night’s TGL opener would say most of those at SoFi Center came away happy.

The indoor, state-of-the-art golf league, headed up by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, got off to a rousing start — even if the mismatch between The Bay and New York was a double bogey. Still, those in attendance had fun whether cheering, booing, dancing or taking photos and videos.

Here are 4 observations from the fans’ perspective on the day after:

More: TGL debut lessons: What is the hammer rule? How does the green impact play?

Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy schmoozing before the match

You may have seen Tiger Woods at one of his hundreds of golf matches through the years but when was the last time you saw him smiling, laughing and socially interacting with his peers. Woods was on the arena floor an hour before the competition got underway and appeared to be enjoying himself. Rory McIlroy was there too with his shirt unbuttoned, exposing a white T-shirt, and drinking bottled water.

They chatted with the competitors and later appeared on ESPN’s telecast. Tiger makes his debut as a competitor next week.

“I’m obviously part of the playing process. I haven’t been a part of the playing process in a while,” Woods said. “It’s a little harder for me to play a full-time schedule.”

SoFi Center not to be confused with Augusta National

If you like your golf quiet, TGL is not for you. The noise never stops. Even when the players are hitting the golf ball, music is being played and we’re not talking classical. There was rap, rock, pop … and did we tell you it was non-stop.

There also are a lot of flashing lights and the giant video boards next to the giant screen that the players hit into. Did we tell you everything is big at SoFi Center?

Celebrity sightings at SoFi Arena

This is to be expected with so many big names involved in the various ownership groups. On Tuesday, former Golden State Warriors standout Andre Iguodala was in The Bay’s owners’ box as one of the team’s limited partners.

Other celebs sighted or introduced included New York Golf Club owner Steven Cohen, who also happens to own the New York Mets, former NFL players Victor Cruz and Takeo Spikes and music artist DJ Khaled.

Expect to see the Williams sisters, who are part of the Los Angeles Golf Club ownership group and live in Palm Beach Gardens, at a future match.

Fans get into match — and realize they don’t have to be quiet

Remember a few years back when there was a guy who yelled “Get in the hole” every time a PGA Tour player teed off?

There was a guy sitting in front of the media area Tuesday night who repeatedly yelled — very loudly — for the players to “throw the hammer” on almost every shot. No one told him to shut up.

Fans waved the souvenir Hammer towels handed out before the match, much like the gold Pittsburgh Steelers’ “Terrible Towels” made famous during their 1970s playoff run. No one told them to stop.

Fans even booed the bad drives or putts – very loudly. No one scolded them.

There is a 40-second clock and the few times the players stretched it to single digits, the fans counted down.

Fans danced during breaks in the action. Even the guy yelling “throw the hammer.”

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: TGL opening night: Why Tiger Woods, fans all happy with debut event