It’s been a news-filled week in golf with the PGA Tour’s sudden merger with LIV Golf on Tuesday. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s week just got even busier on Thursday when the Los Angeles Golf Club became the first team part of Woods and McIlroy’s tech-infused golf league, TGL.
The team is owned by Serena and Venus Williams, Serena’s husband Alexis Ohanian, and Olympia Ohanian, Serena’s 5-year-old daughter with Alexis. Woods and McIlroy launched the league last August in partnership with the PGA Tour. Play is expected to begin in January with six three-person teams.
“Los Angeles is the perfect home for our TGL team. This city embodies the intersection of sports, technology, and entertainment, making it an ideal backdrop for the innovation and excitement we aim to bring to the world of golf and its fans,” Alexis Ohanian said in a statement. “We see tremendous opportunities to leverage technology to bring golf closer to its fans and to provide an immersive and interactive experience that will captivate both seasoned golf enthusiasts and new fans.”
The new league will include 18 PGA Tour golfers competing in virtual golf play. There will be 15 regular-season matches plus a playoff round. The two hour, 18-hole matches are expected to take place on Monday nights in a “data-rich virtual course” in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., according to ESPN. The TGL is putting heavy emphasis on the fan experience, including allowing fans to sit greenside during matches.
Woods and McIlroy are among 12 players who have signed up for the league. Other participants include Rickie Fowler, Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Matt Fitzpatrick, Adam Scott, Xander Schauffele, Justin Rose, Max Homa and Billy Horschel.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tiger Woods-Rory McIlroy golf league names Los Angeles first team