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A16 sports
Friday 26 august 2022
Woods, McIlroy behind tech-infused golf league in TV venture

By DOUG FERGUSON team elements common
AP Golf Writer in other sports,” Woods
ATLANTA (AP) — Tiger said in a statement. “We
Woods and Rory McIlroy all know what it’s like to
are bringing their own ver- be in a football stadium or
sion of team golf to the a basketball arena where
PGA Tour. you can watch every play,
A day after Woods and every minute of action un-
McIlroy announced a fold right in front of you. It’s
new media venture called something that inherently
TMRW Sports, they unveiled isn’t possible in traditional
a project Wednesday that golf.” Woods previously
involves 18 players com- was involved in real golf on
peting in a series of match- Monday night when he was
es featuring technology as part of the “Showdown at
much as shot-making. Sherwood” and “Battle at
It’s called “TGL,” a tech- Bighorn.” That faded with-
infused golf league that will in a decade, though the
be held in a stadium built Monday night spot on the
for the occasion where sports calendar from Janu-
fans can watch three-man ary to August is attractive.
teams compete in an 18- Woods played only three
hole match — using simula- times — all majors — this
tors for the long shots, live Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, listens to a question during a press conference at East Lake year as he recovers from
shots for the shorter ones Golf Club prior to the start of the Tour Championship golf tournament Wednesday Aug 24, 2022, in leg injuries suffered in a
— that will take only two Atlanta, Ga. Associated Press February 2021 car crash.
hours. But he will be playing in
The league is to start in Jan- Ilroy and is its CEO. “You McCarley at NBC. a deal with the “GolfPass” the TGL and won’t have to
uary 2024 and feature 15 see everything play out in “Since I’ve retired, I’ve re- venture in conjunction with walk far.
regular-season matches on front of you.” fused any real work besides Golf Channel. “We don’t know what his
Monday nights, followed TMRW Sports — pro- giving advice for plenty of Still to be determined schedule is going to be. We
by the semifinals and the nounced “tomorrow” friends, but this is the right are the 18 players on the don’t know how his body is
finals. — was formed to build idea at the right time with six teams and when the going to be,” McIlroy said.
“For the fans, think sitting technology-focused proj- one of the few people I matches will be held, “But to be able to see him
courtside at an NBA game. ects with a progressive ap- would do this with,” Ebersol though a majority figure to still showcase his skills on
It’s that type of environ- proach to sports, entertain- said. The announcement be the week of elevated prime time on TV without
ment — music, player in- ment and media. was lacking many details, events also announced really any wear and tear
troductions. You’re right on Among the investors is Dick including a broadcast Wednesday for the new on his body, to be able to
top of the action as a fan,” Ebersol, the retired chair- partner, thought NBC is a PGA Tour schedule that see Tiger hit golf shots and
said Mike McCarley, the man of NBC Sports whose likely candidate given its starts next year. still sort of provide people
former Golf Channel presi- many contribution to sports relationship with the PGA “As a big sports fan myself, with a glimpse of his genius,
dent who formed TMRW on TV include Sunday Night Tour and with Ebersol and I’m excited about blending I think it is a really good use
Sports with Woods and Mc- Football. He worked with McCarley. Also, McIlroy has golf with technology and of his time.”q

Patrick Beverley returning to Los

Angeles with Lakers

a Tweet that included pur- Ham’s philosophy of hard son.
ple and gold heart emojis. work and smart play.” Beverley played for Hous-
He averaged 9.2 points, 4.1 The 34-year-old guard from ton from 2012-17.
rebounds and 4.6 assists for Chicago is known for his fe- Horton-Tucker played three
Minnesota last season while rocious defense that makes seasons with the Lakers,
starting 54 of 58 games and him popular with home averaging 9.3 points, 2.8
helping the Timberwolves crowds and a thorn to op- rebounds and 2.6 assists in
make the playoffs. posing players. 131 games, mostly off the
He ended up in Utah as part The three-time NBA All- bench.
of a multi-player deal when Defensive team member Johnson began last season
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley, right, controls
the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, left, in the the Jazz sent Rudy Gobert played for the Clippers from with the South Bay Lakers of
second half during Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball to Minnesota in early July. 2017-21 until he was traded the NBA’s developmental
playoff series April 26, 2022, in Memphis, Tenn. “We are thrilled to add Pat- to Memphis and then to league before signing three
Associated Press rick Beverley’s toughness the Wolves nine days later. separate 10-day contracts
and competitive spirit to “I used to hate Patrick with the big-league club.
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Beverley was acquired our team,” general man- Beverley when he played He was signed by the Lak-
Patrick Beverley is return- from the Utah Jazz on Thurs- ager Rob Pelinka said. against my Lakers lol but ers for the rest of the season
ing to Los Angeles, this time day in exchange for guard “We’re confident that Pat- now I love him because in late January.
joining LeBron James and Talen Horton-Tucker and rick’s ‘3-and-D’ style will fit in he’s on our team and he’s In 48 games, he averaged
the Lakers. forward Stanley Johnson. nicely with the other pieces going to help my Lakers get 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds
A fan favorite when he “Woke up a Laker!!! of our roster and align per- to the playoffs!” tweeted and 1.7 assists.q
played for the Clippers, Its On!!!” Beverley wrote in fectly with Coach (Darvin) Lakers great Magic John-