GBR Weekly | Trackman’s VG3 Launch, The Rise of Simulator Golf Leagues, and Rory McIlroy’s Latest Power Move
U.S. Dominates Presidents Cup While Angel Hidalgo Defeats Jon Rahm at the Open de España
Hi, GBR Fans!!
The golf industry is undergoing an exciting transformation with the rise of simulators. Leading companies are taking competition to the next level, offering innovative leagues, huge cash prizes, and opportunities for players around the globe to participate in high-level virtual tournaments. This trend is reshaping how golf is played, giving access to iconic courses from the comfort of a simulator.
We’ll dive deeper into this topic later on, in an exclusive piece for our subscribers. But first, let’s dive into this week’s newsletter with the top stories from the golf industry.
Here’s what’s lined up for this week’s edition:
Rory McIlroy’s Boston Common Secures $5M Partnership with FM Insurance.
LIV Golf Strengthens Leadership Team with Ilana Finley as Chief Communications Officer.
Trackman Launches Virtual Golf 3 with Cutting-Edge Realism.
The U.S. Dominates, Winning the Presidents Cup for the 10th Consecutive Time.
Angel Hidalgo Claims Victory at the Open De España, Outlasting Jon Rahm.
Let´s go!!
Rory McIlroy’s Boston Common Adds FM As A Principle Partner
Writing in Sports Business Journal, Josh Carpenter provides details on Rory McIlroy’s Boston Common Golf, which announced the addition of FM, a Rhode Island-based insurance company, as its first principal partner.
FM, reportedly investing $5M annually, gains significant visibility through in-venue branding at TGL’s SoFi Center in South Florida, player access for special events, and integration in team content.
Boston Common Golf is part of the Fenway Sports Group, including Fenway Sports Management (FSM). FSM was instrumental in helping FM land the principal sponsor title for the new FM Championship on the LPGA Tour.
FM joins a growing list of sponsors of Boston Common Golf, which includes:
NBC SportsNext - Founding Partner
Car Gurus - Founding Partner
Evolv Technology - Partner
Comcast Business - Partner
Rory McIlroy and Irish singer Niall Horan are also investors on the TGL team.
Comcast Business has come on board as a presenting partner of a new five-part docuseries following the creation of Boston Common. The series is scheduled to be aired in mid-December and finish when Boston Common plays its first TGL match on the 27th of January.
As with the other TGL teams, Boston Common is likely to finally have between eight and ten commercial partners by the time the league gets underway. Boston Common is hosting an event at next month’s ZOZO Championship in Japan, which is likely to heavily feature team member Hideki Matsuyama and could be used as a springboard to bring other sponsors on board.
“Golf and insurance are like chocolate and peanut butter. We really like the global connection we have.” - David Johnson, Chief Client Experience Officer, FM.
“TGL has given us an asset that is allowing us to bring new brands into the family.”- Mark Lev, President of Boston Common Golf.
Ilana Finley Joins LIV Golf As Chief Communications Officer
LIV Golf has made another strategic move to bolster its leadership team by introducing Ilana Finley as the new Chief Communications Officer.
As the league continues to expand, Finley will oversee all global communications for LIV Golf, including its 13 teams, worldwide events, and the fast-growing International Series.
Finley brings a wealth of experience, having previously led global communications and social impact efforts for Converse Inc., a subsidiary of Nike, where she spent 18 years building and executing communications strategies across various regions.
From overseeing Nike’s Olympic initiatives to driving community-focused advocacy programs through the Nike Foundation, Finley’s career has been marked by her ability to build global brands while maintaining a sharp focus on social impact.
Finley’s hiring is part of a broader executive expansion at LIV Golf, which includes recent appointments such as Adam Harter as Chief Marketing Officer, David Phillipps as Chief Financial Officer, and Ross Hallett as Executive Vice President and Head of Events. These key players, including Finley, represent LIV Golf’s desire to be around for the long haul, regardless of how negotiations pan out between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and PIF. Finley’s leadership in communications will play a pivotal role in shaping the future narrative of LIV Golf.
Finley’s background in strategic communications and global brand management will see her play a pivotal role in shaping LIV Golf's future narrative.
“I’m excited to join the team at LIV Golf as the League continues to break new ground in the world of sports and entertainment. Throughout my career, I’ve had the chance to drive impactful storytelling with global brands that are committed to building connections with diverse audiences by thinking boldly and being unafraid to take chances, and LIV Golf is doing just that. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m thrilled to help champion the League’s commitment to innovation, creativity, and teamwork while making a positive impact around the world.” - Ilana Finley, Incoming Chief Communications Officer, LIV Golf.
“Ilana is uniquely prepared to help LIV Golf continue its positive momentum into 2025 and beyond. She knows firsthand the challenges and opportunities that exist when growing a global brand and understands how to align competition, culture, and entertainment to deliver a product that fans embrace.”- Greg Norman, Commissioner and CEO, LIV Golf.
Trackman Launches Virtual Golf 3
As the northern hemisphere moves slowly towards autumn and more restricted outdoor golfing opportunities, Trackman has launched a major update to its simulated golf courses library to bring more realism to its experiences.
Virtual Golf 3 (VG3), brings new sharper graphics and more realistic playing conditions helping to narrow the gap between indoor golf and outdoor game. The new features introduced in the update, which was made available worldwide on the 24th September, comprise the following:
Enhanced Atmospherics: Experience evolving weather conditions, from misty mornings to bright sunsets.
Dynamic Cloud Systems: Watch clouds form, shift, and dissipate across the sky.
Expanded Asset Library: Every course element has been meticulously rebuilt for greater precision.
Immersive Visuals: Look out for ball trails in bunkers, divots, tire tracks, and more.
Progressive Time of Day: Tee off at any time and watch the sun move with accelerated indoor pacing.
Advanced Green Reading: A color-coded heatmap with directional dots provides enhanced green undulation details.
Immersive 3D Audio: Realistic soundscapes create an all-encompassing golf experience.
The launch of VG3 coincides with an updated medium campaign that includes six-time major champion, Sir Nick Faldo, talk through some of his tactics for playing the 17th at the Old Course, St Andrews, and his chip-in eagle at the Old Course’s 18th in the first round of the 1990 Open Championship, which he went on to win.
“I am thrilled about the immersive realism VG3 brings. But what excites me even more is the potential this engine upgrade offers. It’s like getting a new car — VG3 will take us on new adventures, pushing indoor golf to the next level and beyond. Trackman customers will benefit from this in the many product releases and updates to come.” - Jakob Munk, Head of Indoor Golf, Trackman.
The U.S. Retain The Presidents Cup For 10 In A Row
The U.S. Team retained its stranglehold on the Presidents Cup after a commanding performance in the final-day singles matches at Royal Montreal Golf Club, recording an 18.5 to 11.5 victory over the International Team.
The first two days had a mixture of sessions dominated by each team, but the Americans were in command going into the final day singles, leading 11 points to 7 and only needing 4.5 points for victory.
Mike Weir’s International team needed momentum early. However, they didn’t get it, with Jason Day losing the opening match comprehensively, 4&3, against PGA and Open Champion Xander Schauffele.
Tom Kim secured a half-point against Sam Burns in the next match, and Hideki Matsuyama beat Scottie Scheffler in the third match to give the internationals some hope. However, looking down the list of the remaining matches on the course, the momentum was firmly with the U.S.
Russell Henley and Patrick Cantlay both won their matches convincingly to set up next year’s Ryder Cup captain, Keegan Bradley, with the chance to win the Presidents Cup. Bradley could have won his match on 16 and 17 had it not been for missed short putts. However, his task was made easier when his opponent, Si Woo Kim, missed a six-footer on 18, giving Bradley a precious one-up victory and letting the American celebrations begin.
Of the remaining six matches out on the course, the Internationals found some joy with wins for Corey Connors and Christiaan Bezuidenhout. Collin Morikawa and Max Homa won their matches, and two matches were tied between Wyndham Clark and Min Woo Lee and Sahith Theegala and Ben An.
The scoreline indicates that the U.S. team won easily. Still, there were signs of fight and encouragement for the Internationals as Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim got the crowds going with extravagant fist pumps and wound up Scottie Scheffler.
How do the Internationals reverse the trend and make the Presidents Cup a more compelling event? Could the Internationals take some inspiration from the European Ryder Cup Team and create another “miracle at Medinah” when the two teams meet again at Medinah Country Club in 2026?
“These players were amazing. It was a really good group of 12, an easy bunch. I had great leadership at the top. They made the captain's job really easy, and these guys played their hearts out this week. They really played well on the back nine.” - Jim Furyk, winning captain, U.S. Presidents Cup Team.
"Of course, I'm going to be thinking about things I would have done differently.
I think that's human nature, when you don't win, you're going to look at yourself in the mirror and see what you could have done different, no doubt about it. - Mike Weir, losing captain, Internationals Presidents Cup Team.
“Wow, that was incredible. The last time I played, I was the point to lose the Ryder Cup. If this is my last round as a player — maybe it is — I'm happy with that.” - Keegan Bradley, winning point scorer, U.S. Presidents Cup Team.
Hidalgo Holds Off Rahm To Capture The Open De España
Spaniard Angel Hidalgo got the better of Jon Rahm to capture his DP World Tour title on home soil.
Hidalgo went into the final round with a two-shot lead but had to battle with Rahm and fellow Spaniard David Puig throughout the day. However, Rahm applied the pressure by birdieing the last two holes. Hidalgo parred his final two holes to join Rahm in a playoff over the driveable 18th.
Both players birdied after getting close to the green with their drives and returned to the 18th tee. Rahm’s drive went through the green and left himself with an awkward chip, which he raced past the hole. Hidalgo had an easier chip, which he got to within a couple of feet of the hole. Rahm had to birdie and attempted to chip in, but his ball stayed above ground, and Rahm had to settle for a par.
Hidalgo calmly converted his putt to become a new Spanish hero to the home fans. With his victory, the 26-year-old became the 11th Spanish winner of the Open De España since the tournament’s inception in 1972. Hidalgo also moves up to 18th in the Race To Dubai standings.
"Two or three years ago, I was in the first tee, in the trees, supporting Jon - without playing, I just come here to Madrid to see the tournament. To be here and win the tournament is unreal. Oh, my gosh, it's amazing." - Angel Hidalgo, 2024 Open De España winner.
The Rise Of The Simulator Golf Leagues
The world of golf is evolving, and the rise of simulator golf leagues is creating exciting new opportunities for players of all levels to compete on some of the most famous courses—without ever leaving their city. Two industry leaders, GOLFZON and Five Iron Golf, are taking this movement global with high-stakes leagues, massive cash prizes, and unforgettable experiences. Curious to learn how these leagues are revolutionizing the game? Unlock the full story and discover why this is the future of golf by subscribing today!