WTGL debut match draws nearly 100,000 viewers going against NFL

WTGL had plenty of competition for its Nov. 8 debut, going up against the NFL, the men's golf World Wide Technology Championship televised by Golf Channel and NASCAR.

The match, televised by ESPN, drew an average of 97,000 viewers at SoFi Center, peaking at 138,000. The WWT, which featured a playoff between Blades Brown and Ben James, had an average viewership of 110,00. Brown and James are playing this season for TGL.

WTGL's inaugural match — in which Los Angeles Golf Club defeated New York Golf Club , 3-1 — delivered the third highest women's golf telecast out of 24 events since the Sept. 13 Solheim Cup .

The league's second match, Tuesday, Nov. 10, was televised by ION.

The WTGL format follows TGL, the men's version co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, that is entering its third year.

The initial match was a success with the players.

"Witnessing LPGA players and LPGA stars in this format is so different," said LA's Michelle Wie West. "We have such amazing players and personalities out on Tour, and it's really cool that every single shot you see so many statistics on the screen. I think that's something that's missing from our normal broadcast. I think for two hours, LPGA fans, existing fans, can witness our players in a whole different light, and I think we'll attract new fans as well too."

Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.