The International Golf Federation (IGF) and the TMRW Sports body have today unveiled a strategic partnership.
The agreement between the IGF and the tech-focused sports, media, and entertainment venture headed by golf icons Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy is “focused on harnessing technology to help increase participation in golf.”
The two parties have mentioned the recent launch of the Olympic Esports Games by the International Olympic Committee as potentially adding a new dimension to the IGF-TMRW partnership.
Mike McCarley, business partner of Woods and McIlroy at TMRW, said: “As society continues to evolve, adapt, and embrace new forms of technology, sport-specific applications continue to provide a vital role in shaping the future of sports and its intersection with mainstream culture. Therefore, as we forge a new path embracing technology within golf, it’s encouraging to add the IGF and its global reach across its national federations and professional tours as a partner.”
Late June saw TMRW complete a new Series A funding round headlined by investment from the Dynasty Equity investment group and Connect Ventures.
TMRW operates the tech-infused golf league TGL, which will debut next January in Florida, US.
TMRW already boasts a glittering investor lineup of sports and entertainment personalities including tennis’ Venus Williams and Andy Murray, motor racing’s Lewis Hamilton, basketball’s Steph Curry, and soccer’s Gareth Bale and Alex Morgan.
Antony Scanlon, executive director at the IGF, added: “We believe in TMRW Sports’ vision to blend virtual and live competition to inspire new fans and bring them closer to the sport of golf. After experiencing how they are using technology with TGL, we recognize the increasing potential growth of golf through new tech-infused forms of the sport.”
In late June, TMRW announced Korean car manufacturer Genesis as the property’s first founding partner.
TGL will launch on January 7, with initial plans to begin in 2024 having been scrapped due to storm damage to the host venue.
