Shane Lowry savours 'intimidating' Tomorrow's Golf League venue vibe after debut win with The Bay Golf Club

Shane Lowry hit the first tee shot in Tomorrow's Golf League (TGL) history as the first match of the new venture got underway in earnest on Tuesday.

The TGL, which includes Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods as driving forces, was played at SoFi Center, a custom-built 1,500-seat arena and saw Lowry and his Bay Golf Club team-mates roll to a 9-2 victory over New York Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

After getting a first taste of the competition which takes the form of a high-tech indoor league features six teams and a 15-match season, Lowry said he liked the atmosphere inside the venue, but he needed some time to adjust.

First tee shot in TGL history. pic.twitter.com/WCGrfFBdRM

"It's quite an intimidating place to play golf because it's somewhere we're not used to," the Offaly man said.

Bay GC, who also include Ludvig Adberg, Wyndham Clark and Min Woo Lee - the latter sitting out this match - in their team, clinched the victory on No. 10 of the 15-hole match that lasted just over two hours. The 15-hole course was custom-designed, and the competition is part virtual and part real life.

Players hit tee and approach shots into a simulated screen that has hole layouts, greens, bunkers and anything else you'd see on a golf course. After the ball lands, the rest of the shots and putts are hit inside the facility.

The fans in attendance were allowed to be vocal - kind of different than the marshal at Augusta holding "quiet" or "no noise" signs.

New York's team consisted of Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler and Matt Fitzpatrick. Cameron Young was inactive.

A wrinkle the golfers had to get used to was the 40-second shot clock. A violation results in a one-stroke penalty.

"I didn't feel rushed," Fitzpatrick said. "I wish that was in real