The European Tour is to livestream a series of indoor golf tournaments over the next six weeks, which will see a group of top players remotely compete against each other on Trackman simulators.
Martin Kaymer, Joost Luiten, Mike Lorenzo Vera, Lee Westwood and Bernd Wiesberger will go head-to-head from their own homes in the BMW Indoor Invitational powered by TrackMan, a new series of virtual golf tournaments using the latest simulator technology.
With regular tournament action currently suspended due to the ongoing global efforts against the spread of Coronavirus, many leading professionals have been turning to solutions at home, including the latest TrackMan software and simulators, to keep their golf game sharp.
The BMW Indoor Invitational will enable them to compete against each other, giving golf fans the chance to watch all the action on the European Tour’s social media channels (#BMWTrackManInvitational). Tournament footage will also be available via https://bmw.trackmaninvitational.com.
The new series will consist of five 18-hole strokeplay tournaments played virtually on some of Europe’s most iconic golf courses, powered by TrackMan. Each tournament winner will receive $10,000 towards their chosen charity or relief fund which has been helping communities impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Players will compete remotely using their home set-up between Monday and Wednesday and the action will then be shown on the European Tour’s social media channels each Saturday for the next five weeks.
The BMW Trackman Invitational schedule is:
Week 1 – Saturday May 9, St Andrews, Old Course
Week 2 – Saturday May 16, Royal Portrush
Week 3 – Saturday May 23, Golfclub München Eichenried
Week 4 – Saturday May 30, Valderrama
Week 5 – Saturday June 6, Wentworth Club
Rufus Hack, the European Tour’s Chief Content Officer, said: “While the absolute priority for all of us has been, and continues to be, public health and well-being, we also recognise that golf fans are missing watching the leading players compete. Hopefully, the BMW Indoor Invitational powered by TrackMan can help fill the void and provide our fans with some entertainment across the next five weeks whilst also benefitting charities or relief funds which have been so essential in the battle against Coronavirus.”
Jörn Plinke, Head of BMW Golfsport Marketing, said: “In a time when pro golf tours around the world are being forced to take a break, we are able to offer golf fans, as well as the pros themselves, a unique competition in the form of the BMW Indoor Invitational powered by TrackMan. We are looking forward to the coming weeks, an innovative format, and some exciting digital content. BMW enjoys long-term partnerships with TrackMan and the European Tour and shares the aspiration to also drive golf further with a digital format. Together, we have managed to create a new type of competition, which features a host of top players and, with the prize money on offer, supports local coronavirus initiatives.”
Klaus Eldrup-Jørgensen, CEO of TrackMan A/S, said: “BMW, The European Tour and TrackMan teaming up like this is a great example of how the sport can come together and rise above the difficulties of the current situation. With TrackMan Virtual Golf, we’re able to play tournaments on iconic, internationally recognised courses that will push the players to their limits. The tournament will be extremely challenging but also great fun. We’re all really looking forward to it!”