NewsBite

Severe building damage pushes start date for star-studded virtual golf competition back a year

A collapsed building in Florida has stalled the launch of Tiger Woods’ TGL for a year hitting rising Aussie start Min Woo Lee hard.

Min Woo Lee surges into contention at US Open

Min Woo Lee is “sad” about having to wait another year to play with the “big boys” on the TGL virtual circuit after its start was postponed until 2025 due to the collapse of the indoor venue’s air-supported roof.

The world number 45 was one of 24 players set to take part in Tiger Woods’ and Rory McIlroy’s competition in Florida from January to April next year.

However, the team concept has delayed by 12 months following a power-outage that led to serious damage to the venue.

The now-cancelled 2024 season was due to involve 15 of the world’s current top 20-ranked players.

Min Woo Lee will have to wait another year to play in the TGL. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Min Woo Lee will have to wait another year to play in the TGL. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“It was a sad time,” Lee said in reflecting when he found out about TGL’s delay.

“I was really excited to play with the big boys and play a different type of golf. but more of a team format.

“I had a really cool team that was, not for the public, but in my head. We could have done lots of damage.

“I saw Rory last week (in Dubai). We talked about it a little bit, but we’ve got to wait another year for it too happen.

“I’ll be excited for 2025 when it does happen.”

While Lee, who won the Macau Open last month for a breakthrough 2023 victory, won’t be able to play in TGL next year, he will still have his hands full as he embarks on his first full season on the PGA Tour in the United States.

“The PGA Tour card’s a massive thing. That was on my radar from last year,” the 25-year-old Perth product said.

“I’m really excited. It’s been an amazing year. A top-five at the US Open was probably the biggest highlight for myself.”

Lee will still play some events on Europe’s DP World Tour, whose new season starts this week at the Australian PGA at Royal Queensland.

“It’s a course that I play well on. I enjoy being out here, especially with the Aussie crowd,” he said.

“It is nice to be one of the top names at a tournament and get such a following.”

Lee, who is also playing at next week’s Australian Open in Sydney, said it would be “amazing” to win of the two major Australian events in the next fortnight.

“Any tournament you win is unbelievable but at home, it’s probably going to be a different feeling,” said Lee, who won the Macau Open in October as well as the 2021 Scottish Open.

“These next two events will be a very important time in my career and the season.”

Marco Monteverde
Marco MonteverdeSports reporter

Marco Monteverde is a Brisbane-based sports reporter for NCA Newswire. He worked in a similar role for The Courier-Mail from 2007 to 2020. During a journalism career of more than 25 years, he has also worked for The Queensland Times, The Sunshine Coast Daily, The Fraser Coast Chronicle and The North West Star. He has covered three FIFA World Cups and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as well as a host of other major sporting events in Australia and around the world.

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/lucrative-virtual-golf-competitions-delay-saddens-rising-australian-star-min-woo-lee/news-story/6e15c16b181e3ed71d68992f2b263ac4