The Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy-led tech golf league, which is due to begin next January, has announced its first team name and ownership group.
TGL, in partnership with the PGA Tour, announced the Los Angeles Golf Club as the first of six teams, owned by tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams and Serena’s husband, Alexis Ohanian.
“We’re honored to welcome Alexis, Serena, and Venus as one of TGL’s original six team ownership groups,” said TGL CEO Mike McCarley Through his ownership of Angel City FC, Alexis has established himself as a trailblazer in the Southern California professional sports scene. Alexis and Serena have been a part of the TMRW Sports family as investors and their enthusiasm, along with Venus, for what we’re building with TGL has been infectious. Serena and Venus represent an important part of not just TMRW Sports and TGL’s mission of access to sports for kids and families, but also an important part of the spirit and purpose of LA Golf Club.”
Ohanian, founder of venture capital firm Seven Seven Six, said: “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.
“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. To wit, my wife Serena and I are delighted that Olympia has taken a liking to golf, so I’m proud to announce that they’re both owners in this club as well – as is the little one on the way! This is another piece of the legacy I’m building with my family, and I hope LAGC can become a part of many other families’ lives too.”
The names of the players who will be competing in that team was not announced. Currently, 12 players have committed to playing in the league, including Woods, McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, Billy Horschel, and Rickie Fowler. Another six players are expected to be announced at a later day.
The league is expected to begin play in January 2024 in a purpose-built arena in Palm Beach, Florida. It is unclear how the league will be affected by Tuesday’s news of the PGA Tour’s partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
