Inside Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL – a virtual rival to LIV Golf
Golf 

Paige Spiranac plays golf

Back in August 2022, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and CEO of TMRW Sports, Mike McCarley announced a new business venture, TGL, that was set to revolutionize golf. With the league’s debut tournament coming on January 9 2024, fans have been teased with more information, including robotic greens and innovative tech.

But just what can fans expect ahead of the inaugural golf league?

How does it all work?

TGL is a golf league that will see 24 players compete in total – six teams of four players. The tournament will be hosted at a purpose-built arena in Palm Beach, Florida.

The tournament will see players compete on a virtual golf course that is filled with technology and has $20 million (£16m) of prize money at stake. It will consist of 15 regular season matches with each team playing a total of five times, hitting the ball initially towards a giant screen before putting on a physical green.

Tell me more about the technology

Following a new insight into TGL via Wired, the virtual golf course will have some very smart tech. The specially designed $50 million (£40m) arena will seat 1,600 fans and include a 200,000-pound turntable which will hold up an 800,000-pound green that is larger than four basketball courts.

The robotic 3,800 sqft putting area will be fully customizable and can change shape depending on what course golfers will play on. A giant 64ft x 46ft 4k screen will also feature to provide spectators with an eagle-eyed insight into every hit.

To make the spectacle even more interesting, players will also be mic’d up to provide further insight into the on-green conversations and trash talk. Players will also be given a 40-second shot clock in which to tee off – or risk a one-stroke penalty.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TMRW Sports (@tmrwsports)

  • Support fearless journalism
  • Read The Daily Express online, advert free
  • Get super-fast page loading

Don’t miss…
Donald Trump clashes with judge as he tells golf course tale during fraud trial[LATEST]
Rory McIlroy explains LIV Golf vs TGL differences with dig at Saudi rebel league[LATEST]
PGA Tour chiefs make huge LIV Golf U-Turn that could save merger[LATEST]

Who else is involved?

It’s not only Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy who are the famous faces taking part. The pair will make up two of the six professionals, including 15-time PGA Tour winner Justin Thomas, 2013 Masters winner Adam Scott, six-time European Tour winner Tyrrell Hatton and 2011 PGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley.

The six teams have also already been announced, including the Los Angeles Golf Club which is owned by Alexis Ohanian and tennis legends Serena Williams and Venus Williams. A San Francisco team has been confirmed that is owned by Marc Lasry’s Avenue Sports Fund and NBA icon and Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry.

Will it compete with LIV Golf?

Despite not being a direct competitor, Tiger Woods believes it will be easier to understand than the controversial Saudi-backed tour.

“Some of the stuff I’ve seen in LIV… I couldn’t figue out what the hell was going on. Here it’s very simple,” Woods said in a recent statement. “Through its use of technology, TGL is a modern twist of traditional golf and ultimately will make the sport I love more accessible.

“Having the opportunity to not only compete, but also own a team to represent Jupiter is an exciting next chapter for me. I expect Jupiter Links GC to showcase the golf culture of my hometown as we compete against the best players in the world.”

When will it start?

The inaugural season will tee off on Tuesday, January 10 at 2 AM which will start a 15-match regular season, and will be followed by semi-finals and finals draws.

Source: Read Full Article