College basketball fans who tuned in to ESPN to watch Miami's game against Duke on Tuesday night got a surprise when Tiger Woods appeared on their screens.
The college basketball showdown was scheduled to air on the network's main channel at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, immediately following Woods' debut match at his new indoor golf venture, TGL.
However, Jupiter Links' clash against Los Angeles Golf Club lasted 20 minutes compared to its weekly two-hour slot.
Even though the game ended long ago thanks to a blowout by Woods' team at the hands of Los Angeles, ESPN opted to continue showing the matchup in the simulator instead of switching to the Hurricanes' game against Duke.
Instead, the college basketball game was broadcast on ESPN News and fans were furious.
“Miami and Duke literally didn't start on time because of what is basically a golf video game,” raged one social media user on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Duke and Miami basketball fans were left fuming at ESPN on Tuesday night.
Golf legend Tiger Woods made his long-awaited debut at TGL that same night.
Woods and Jupiter Links' showdown against Los Angeles Golf Club sped up by 20 minutes
“@espn is hosting the Duke-Miami game as scheduled, not that silly indoor golf course,” another added.
“Why is golf on my screen when we're trying to watch Miami vs Duke?” a third questioned while another asked, “Do I have to sit and watch the golf team in SoFi instead of Duke/Miami?” Is this real ESPN programming right now?
One user was not as critical, posting: 'TGL is great but I'm trying to watch Duke vs Miami.' Let's get this over with.'
However, their patience seemed to wear thin when they later added, “I'm currently watching Miami vs. Duke in Spanish on ESPN3 because TGL is delayed.”
Others did not contain their fury as some urged the network to discontinue the TGL match.
'Duke/Miami is starting on ESPNews because of indoor golf?!?!' said one with a series of plant-face emojis.
“Miami and Duke, real sports between real teams, are on espnews because video golf was on espn for a long time,” another fumed.
Instead, the college basketball game was reported on ESPN News and fans were left furious.
'Hello @espn!!! Get rid of this fraudulent gold nonsense and start the Duke – Miami game!!! Come on,” urged one upset user.
ESPN finally switched to Miami-Duke at 9:20 p.m. ET, 20 minutes after it was initially scheduled to begin broadcasting, with the Blue Devils already leading 9-5.
TGL will return to ESPN next week when New York takes on Atlanta Drive in the same 7 pm ET time slot on Tuesday, January 21.
It will mark New York's second game in the technology-driven league after Matt Fitzpatrick, Rickie Fowler and Xander Schaufele were defeated by The Bay in the opening game.