MIAMI – Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s tech-golf series TGL will postpone a debut season from 2024 to 2025 after damage to a specially built arena proved too much to overcome.
TGL announced the delay in a statement on Nov 20, saying damage at the South Florida venue following a power failure on Nov 14 forced the postponement of an inaugural campaign that was set to launch in January.
“Although the events of last week will force us to make adjustments to our timelines, I’m fully confident that this concept will be brought to life by our great committed players,” said 15-time Major winner Woods, part-owner of TGL’s Jupiter Links team.
Failures of a temporary power system and backup system caused the air-supported arena dome roof to deflate, causing damage to the venue at the SoFi Centre in Palm Beach Gardens but no injuries and no damage to most of the technology.
“The postponement brings mixed feelings of disappointment and excitement,” McIlroy said. “Above all, we are happy that no one was injured.
“We’re looking forward to the launch of TGL. Given the circumstances, while the delay is disappointing, the postponement will allow us to regroup, refocus and return stronger.”
TGL was set to offer Monday night events between six teams of four players each, avoiding conflicts with PGA Tour events with players competing on simulators and custom-built green areas in the Florida arena.
The choice to postpone came after TGL consulted with players, six team ownership groups, sponsors, telecasters and PGA Tour officials.
“This decision came after reviewing short-term solutions, potential construction timelines, player schedules and the prime-time sports television calendar,” the statement said.
“Despite this new timeline for the venue, TGL remains excited about the future of TGL. TGL has begun to update plans and timelines and is confident that the extension will only improve delivery.”
The indoor TGL facility covers about 23,226 sq m, with players hitting their tee shots off grass into a 14m by 19.5m screen, with greens and bunkers also to be built. Seating will also be created for fans to attend matches.
The other teams who will now open in 2025 are Atlanta, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York, with players including McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa, Matt Fitzpatrick, Adam Scott and Justin Rose.
Woods is set to compete for Florida’s Jupiter Links, while McIlroy will play for Boston Common.
Separately, Jordan Spieth was selected to replace McIlroy as a player-director on the PGA Tour policy board considering a Saudi-backed merger deal, tour commissioner Jay Monahan announced on Nov 20.
Spieth, a three-time Major winner, was chosen in a vote by the other five player-directors on the panel – Woods, Webb Simpson, Peter Malnati, Charley Hoffman and Patrick Cantlay.
He will serve out the remainder of McIlroy’s term, which concludes at the end of 2024.
McIlroy, a four-time Major winner, resigned from the board the previous week after its last meeting of the year, saying he wanted to devote more time to his family, golf game and business interests that also included the TGL.
The policy board is facing a year-end deadline to approve a framework agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, a merger deal unveiled in June that shocked tour players, including McIlroy, who was told of the deal only hours before it was announced.
Negotiations are ongoing over the terms of the agreement, which would form a partnership between the PGA Tour, Europe’s DP World Tour and the Saudi backers of the LIV Golf Series.
Spieth had served on the policy board from 2019 to 2021 after two years on the tour’s player advisory council. “Jordan has extensive experience with the tour’s governance process,” Monahan said.
Australian Adam Scott, the 2013 Masters champion and current player advisory council chairman, will replace Hoffman on the policy board when his term expires at the end of December.
The board membership comprises six players plus six independent directors. AFP, REUTERS
