Tour News
A numbers game: Tiger, EA Sports part ways
When you queue up EA Sports’ golf offering on your video game console of choice next year, you won’t be able to play as Tiger Woods. And if you’ve been eagerly awaiting “Tiger Woods PGA Tour ’15,” you’re waiting in vain.
Tiger Woods and EA Sports have mutually agreed to part ways, ending their 15-year partnership.
This means not only will the world’s most recognizable golfer not be on the cover of EA Sports’ golf game—as he has been since 1999—but that Woods and his Sunday red will likely be absent from the game entirely.
Athletes in individual (rather than team) sports don’t have to march in lockstep with a union decision to lend likenesses to video game makers. Thus, it’s unlikely that Tiger would fancy an animated version of himself appearing in a franchise that cut him loose. It’s fitting to stand in indignation with gamers around the world and ask, “What’s going on here?”
For one thing, after having a rough go of it, EA reported strong earnings in an October 29th conference call, beating consensus earnings per share estimates by 23 cents, and exceeding revenue estimates as well. The bullish position might compel the Redwood, Calif., based company to both devote some more cash to developing a new game and take a chance, rather than staying the course with an aging franchise.
It appears, too, the Woodsian video game franchise (with a near 40-year-old on the cover) was in a state of decline, offering the video game maker additional motivation to move in another direction.
VGChartz.com, which tracks video game sales, reported that the the PS3 version of Tiger Woods ‘14 sold only 160,000 copies worldwide. That marks a decline of 390,000 copies of last year’s game and decrease of 810,000 copies since the 2012 edition. For the XBOX 360 edition, sales declined from 430,000 last year to 160,000 this year.
“EA Sports golf fans have always loved authentic courses and players, but they’ve also asked for more choice and customization in how and where they play,” Daryl Holt, EA Sports vice president of golf Daryl Holt told Gamespot. “We’re working on a new approach to deliver the best golf experience to our fans.”
Woods, for his part, isn’t resting on his video gaming laurels: the world No. 1 is in talks with other companies to develop a new video game, according to agent Mark Steinberg.
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News
Photos from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
GolfWRX is live this week at the Wells Fargo Championship as a field of the world’s best golfers descend upon Charlotte, North Carolina, hoping to tame the beast that is Quail Hollow Club in this Signature Event — only Scottie Scheffler, who is home awaiting the birth of his first child, is absent.
From the grounds at Quail Hollow, we have our usual assortment of general galleries and WITBs — including a look at left-hander Akshay Bhatia’s setup. Among the pullout albums, we have a look inside Cobra’s impressive new tour truck for you to check out. Also featured is a special look at Quail Hollow king, Rory McIlroy.
Be sure to check back throughout the week as we add more galleries.
General Albums
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Monday #1
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Akshay Bhatia – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Matthieu Pavon – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Keegan Bradley – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Webb Simpson – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Emiliano Grillo – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Taylor Pendrith – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Kevin Tway – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
Pullout Albums
- New Cobra equipment truck – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rory McIlroy – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- New Cobra equipment truck – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Eric Cole’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Custom Cameron putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Matt Kuchar’s custom Bettinardi – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Justin Thomas – driver change – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rickie Fowler – putter change – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rickie Fowler’s new custom Odyssey Jailbird 380 putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Tommy Fleetwood testing a TaylorMade Spider Tour X (with custom neck) – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Cobra Darkspeed Volition driver – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
See what GolfWRXers are saying about our Wells Fargo Championship photos in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Nick
Nov 12, 2013 at 4:20 pm
This is a wise move by Tiger. Let’s face it, the TW’s games were just being milked. The ’14 game plays like the ’07 game. It’s still Myst golf (you gotta be over 25 to get that one) loading between shots whn other games have game worlds measured in square miles. Not to mention EA’s penchant for charging for basic gameplay as “add ons”. There is also of course the game play elements they would never drop like spinning after the shot and robo-simplistic putting.
If Tiger gets a reputatble studio on the line, they could make a way better game and sales will spike. Tiger will get paid and we will get a betetr product.
Sergio
Nov 7, 2013 at 1:20 am
EA have become too greedy over the years. The comments about paying “add-ons” could be transposed to other games and Real Racing 3 springs to minds here: a beautiful game harmed by the introduction of more and more in-app purchases. Not holding my breath, they’ll drop the franchise when they’re done squeezing every penny out of their customers and move to another game.
Mat
Nov 2, 2013 at 1:01 pm
The game was failing for lots of reasons.
#1- The game requires you to buy courses and content after you buy the game. $80 in, I’m done.
#2- the courses I bought in prior years have to be purchased again each year.
#3- the story is not compelling. Is it a 1-player game or not?
#4- cheating is too easy, spinning after the shot. Playing without cheating is too hard.
#5- putting is too easy
#6- too much emphasis on win or nothing
#7- graphics not much better than 2008
#8- if gta can have a huge area, loading between holes is inexcusable.
#9- not having an AI group by now is awful
#10- no strategy; hole after hole is driver, with little problem with second shots.
In short, it is not strategic, and not Golden Tee. And above all, everyone is waiting for nextgen. It isn’t like 2013 or prior years are different. A sepia filter isn’t worth it.
JL
Nov 2, 2013 at 1:00 pm
Please 2k come out with a good version of the golf game using kinect. The new Kinect is 60 fps, which should be perhaps acceptable in capturing a golf swing. I’d buy the xbox one just for that.
Mike
Nov 2, 2013 at 8:32 am
I haven’t purchased a nike golf product since tigers handling of his fight with a fire hydrant. Come to think about it, haven’t purchased a tiger endorsed product. I believe there are many out there like me and that factored into ea’s decision to drop tiger like, eehm, a two foot putt. I can’t wait for steinbergs presser where he talks about how they dumped ea……
dudstin
Nov 1, 2013 at 11:14 am
i’m tired of tiger being rated as the clear number 1 in the game, sure it kinda makes sense but when you play with friends everyone wants tiger and there isnt a close second. its time to even the playing field and i hope 2K can do it. their NBA games are far superior to anything EA has ever done, the added technical aspect that they use would be a welcome addition to a golf game. EA has a way of making a game then carrying the same basics into the next revision without making any real changes.
Steve
Nov 1, 2013 at 9:51 am
Like others, I hope he works out a deal with 2K.
I haven’t bought TW’s EA games in a few years. They all have been pretty much the same the last handful of years. Graphics aren’t getting very much better and they are skimming on courses. It’s not worth the money.
Christopher
Nov 1, 2013 at 12:25 am
The biggest problem is that a game that should promote the PGA Tour doesn’t let you play most of it. If an F1 game had 50% of the tracks there would be an uproar. Same with the Fifa game. EA Sports want consumers to buy 10-15 courses, occupy them with golfers that look and play nothing like themselves then expect more money to add courses they provided with the previous games? Madness.
nathan
Nov 1, 2013 at 1:49 am
The decrease in copies sold has nothing to do with Mr. Woods. After paying $60 for a game year, after year, after year is one thing. But when EA Sports wants extra money for basic gameplay courses that should be included is shameful. I am unwilling to pay $100+ for a video game, and am tired of being gouged by these, “add-ons.”
Christopher
Nov 1, 2013 at 11:05 am
I’ve got nothing against EA providing a ‘leg-up’ for players that can’t advance in the game (say for Playstation+ members) but to pay for courses without the ability to earn them through good-play is appalling.
The decrease in sales probably doesn’t have anything to do with Tiger, it’s EA’s attitude to their customers that’s the problem!
jed
Oct 31, 2013 at 9:50 pm
I was disappointed but now that tiger is talking with somebody else im excited. competition is a good thing and EA needs it. EA continually puts out garbage and we have to buy it. 2k ran them out of the NBA business and soon will run the madden franchise away.
Mike
Oct 31, 2013 at 3:42 pm
I have to agree with the lower post, Lets Hope Tiger has something in the works with 2K sports
EA has been robbing everyone for years. Paying for any decent course is crazy when the game already costs $70.
The PGA 15 game will fail… mark my words.
Mizunopure
Oct 31, 2013 at 1:57 pm
Hopefully they can now devote their resources toward getting more courses included with the game w/o all that nickel-and-diming referenced above.
Lazza
Oct 31, 2013 at 1:49 pm
I for one missed the PC version – had 08. I have never had a console, and was contemplating getting a console vs. high-end pc with the view to try out TW PGA Tour 15.
Paddy
Oct 31, 2013 at 12:51 pm
Tiger is kind of old now and he looked tired at the end of the year. Video games target younger people and Tiger is over it. I could see them going with Rory if he starts playing well again.
Brian
Oct 31, 2013 at 12:06 pm
I’m sure the decline had nothing to do with the nickel and dime approach to downloadable courses that EA has taken the past few years.
Philip
Oct 31, 2013 at 12:19 pm
That, and the pulling of Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12 PC earlier this year without warning definitely ends my connection with EA. I’ve had to go to WGT which is not to shabby at all.
Carson
Oct 31, 2013 at 11:45 am
I think the games have become too complex…Tiger Woods 2006 was perfect
Cullen Harris
Oct 31, 2013 at 1:58 pm
Couldn’t agree more. 2006 was he BEST version. I’ve owned half of them since then, and they’re too complex or too incomplete (read: making people pay for courses) to be worth an annual purchase.
Harold
Nov 2, 2013 at 12:14 am
Was looking for a fun and cheap golf game to kick around during the winter months on my kids xbox 360 and have seen a couple comments about the 2006 version being the funnest. Are you guys talking about Tiger Woods PGA 06 that was released in 2005 or Tiger Woods PGA 07 that was released in 2006? Thanks, Harold.
Phil Mickelson
Oct 31, 2013 at 11:30 am
Let’s hope he’s working on a deal with 2K Sports. I think those games would be very realistic if they could find a good developer.