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Lewis Hamilton invests in Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TMRW Sports – the company behind the PGA Tour’s response to LIV Golf – after previously criticizing Saudi Arabia’s ‘terrifying’ laws against the gay community
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TMRW Sports – the brainchild of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy widely seen as a response to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf – has announced Lewis Hamilton as an investor.
TMRW’s Instagram account revealed Hamilton’s involvement on Tuesday, saying: “Coming TMRW: We are ready to announce our investors. In pole position @lewishamilton’.
Woods and McIlroy joined forces in August and will launch a technology-focused golf competition through TMRW in 2024 that will partner with the PGA Tour.
Lewis Hamilton has become an investor in Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TMRW Sports
Woods (left) and McIlroy (right) launch their tech-advanced stadium series, the TGL, in January 2024 as the battle against the Saudi-funded LIV Golf continues
View of the stadium where the teams of three PGA Tour stars will compete on Monday night
The 15-game regular season series, which will rival Monday Night Football, will begin in January 2024 and will feature six teams of PGA Tour players going up against three-on-three for the semifinals and finals. to be reached with a ‘boatload’ of cash reportedly up for grabs.
Fans will see their favorite stars in an unfamiliar setting, however, as each two-hour event will take place on “a data-rich, virtual track complete with a tech-infused, short-game complex” in a stadium rather than on the lush fairways the pros are the pros. used to playing.
Any live recording within two hours will be broadcast live on prime-time television, but a channel has yet to be announced.
As for Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, the move marks another step in his growing portfolio of sporting investments.
The 37-year-old has a minority stake in the Denver Broncos and was also linked with a transfer to buy Chelsea last year, before Todd Boehly eventually took over from Russian owner Roman Abramovich.
Hamilton was previously critical of Saudi Arabia’s human rights records.
Woods and McIlroy (along with exec Mike McCarley) announced TMRW Sports – which will partner with the PGA Tour in the future – in August
Woods and McIlroy were both strong critics of LIV – with McIlroy saying he hated it
Last year he said he felt uneasy in the country because of the repressive laws against the gay community.
‘Do I feel comfortable here? I wouldn’t say yes,’ he said. “But it is not my choice to come here, the sport has made the choice to be here.
“While we’re here, it’s important that we try to raise awareness. In the last race you saw the rainbow helmet I was wearing. I will wear that again here and in the next race [in Abu Dhabi] because it is a problem.
“If someone wants to take the time to read what the law is for the LGBT+ community, it’s pretty scary. Changes are needed.’
Woods and McIlroy’s tech-focused competition is widely regarded as a reaction to LIV — which the duo, particularly McIlroy, have been fiercely critical of.
Hamilton previously wore a rainbow helmet to show his solidarity with the gay community
Hamilton, 37, has previously said he is not comfortable racing in Saudi Arabia
LIV commissioner Greg Norman told Tucker Carlson in August that Woods turned down an offer of between $700 and $800 million to join LIV, while McIlroy has often said he hates the set-up and feels betrayed by players who feel have connected.
“If you believe in something, I think you should speak up, and I believe very strongly in this,” McIlroy said in August. “I hate what it does to the game of golf. I hate it. I really.’
Bryson DeChambeau – a player who ditched the PGA Tour for LIV – said Woods hadn’t spoken to him since he made the switch.
“We’ve been pretty close and unfortunately we haven’t spoken, one day we will again, and I’m always open to a conversation with anyone,” DeChambeau said in July.
“I have no problem with it and I hope we can see it someday.