Roof collapse at venue for Tiger Woods-Rory McIlroy virtual golf league may delay start
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
The TGL is a made-for-TV golf league from Tiger Woods (left) and Rory McIlroy’s TMRW Sports venture.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
MIAMI – The launch of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s simulator golf league could be delayed after an overnight power outage caused deflation and damage to the air-supported dome section of the Florida-based venue, TGL said on Wednesday.
There were no injuries and no technology was affected inside the Palm Beach Gardens arena, where 24 PGA Tour players are scheduled to face off in matchplay using a simulator screen and an adjustable putting surface starting on Jan 9 in prime time.
“At this time, while we assess the damage, it is too early to determine the impact on our timelines,” TGL said in a statement e-mailed to Reuters.
“There were no injuries, and no technology was impacted. Other work on site is continuing.”
The SoFi Centre constructed on the campus of Palm Beach State College is a nearly 250,000 sq ft venue with a 75 foot-high apex that will accommodate about 1,600 people on match nights during TGL’s inaugural season.
The course inside the venue will be infused with various technologies and cover an area around the size of an American football field.
The TGL, which was announced in August 2022, is a made-for-TV golf league from Woods and McIlroy’s TMRW Sports venture – a technology-focused sports company – and both golfers have committed to competing in the league.
TGL will feature six four-player teams of PGA Tour players, including Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa, Wyndham Clark, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose and Xander Schauffele.
Woods, a 15-time Major champion, had earlier in November confirmed he will headline the ownership group of the sixth and final team, named Jupiter Links Golf Club.
The team’s ownership group also includes David Blitzer, who founded Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and is a co-owner of Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Guardians, the National Football League’s Washington Commanders and a general partner of Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
McIlroy will play for Boston Common.
“Through its use of technology, TGL is a modern twist of traditional golf and ultimately will make the sport I love more accessible,” the 47-year-old Woods said.
“Having the opportunity to not only compete, but also own a team, Jupiter, is an exciting next chapter for me.”
The American has not competed since he withdrew from the US Masters in April due to injury and later underwent fusion surgery on his right ankle
