Lewis Hamilton invests in Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TMRW Sports – Daily Mail
TMRW Sports – the brainchild of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy that is widely seen as a response to Saudi-backed LIV Golf – have announced Lewis Hamilton as an investor.
TMRW’s Instagram account revealed Hamilton’s involvement on Tuesday, saying: ‘Coming TMRW: We’re set to announce our investors. In the pole position @lewishamilton’.
Woods and McIlroy joined forces back in August and through TMRW will launch a tech-focused golf league in 2024 that will work in partnership with the PGA Tour.
Lewis Hamilton has become an investor in Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TMRW Sports
Woods (left) and McIlroy (right) will launch their tech-forward stadium series, the TGL, in January 2024 as the fightback against Saudi-funded LIV Golf continues
Rendering of the stadium where the teams of three PGA Tour stars will compete Monday nights
Set to rival Monday Night Football, 15-match regular season series will kick start in January 2024 and will feature six teams of PGA Tour players facing off three-vs-three to make it to the semifinals and finals with a ‘boatload’ of cash reportedly up for grabs.
However, fans will see their favorite stars in an unfamiliar setting as each two-hour event will take place on ‘a data-rich, virtual course complete with a tech-infused, short-game complex’ in a stadium rather than the lush fairways the pros are used to playing.
Every live shot within the two hours will be shown live on primetime television, however a broadcaster is yet to be announced.
As for Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One world champion, the move represents 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 move to buy Chelsea last year, before Todd Boehly eventually acquired the club from its Russian owner Roman Abramovich.
Hamilton has previously been critical of Saudi Arabia’s human rights records.
Woods and McIlroy (alongside exec Mike McCarley) announced TMRW Sports in August – which will work in partnership with the PGA Tour in the future
Woods and McIlroy have both been strong critics of LIV – with McIlroy saying he hates it
Last year, he said he felt uncomfortable competing in the country because of its repressive laws against the gay community.
‘Do I feel comfortable here? I wouldn’t say I do,’ he said. “But it’s not my choice to here, the sport has taken the choice to be here.
‘Whilst we are here it’s important we do try to raise awareness. In the last race you saw the rainbow helmet that I wore. I will wear that again here and in the next race [in Abu Dhabi] because it is an issue.
‘If anyone wants to take time to read what the law is for the LGBT+ community, it is pretty terrifying. There are changes that need to be made.’
Woods and McIlroy’s tech-focused league is widely considered a response to LIV – of which the duo, particularly McIlroy, have been fiercely critical.
Hamilton has previously worn a rainbow helmet to express solidarity with the gay community
Hamilton, 37, has previously said he doesn’t feel comfortable racing in Saudi Arabia
LIV commissioner Greg Norman told Tucker Carlson in August that Woods rejected an offer in the region of $700m-$800m to join LIV, while McIlroy has often spoken of feeling hatred towards the setup and feeling betrayed by players who have joined it.
‘If you believe in something, I think you have to speak up, and I believe very strongly about this,’ said McIlroy in August. ‘I hate what it’s doing to the game of golf. I hate it. I really do.’
Bryson DeChambeau – a player who ditched the PGA Tour for LIV – said Woods hadn’t spoken to him since making the move.
‘We have been fairly close and unfortunately we have not spoken, one day we will again, and I am always open for a conversation with anybody,’ DeChambeau said in July.
‘I have no problem with it and I hope we can come see eye to eye on it.