Compete for a trophy and tickets to the actual 152nd Open in 2024.
Last week, The R&A and Golf 5 announced The VR Open at Royal Liverpool, a virtual event based on the prestigious golf tournament. Players can log in to Golf 5 via their Meta Quest, PC VR, or Pico headset and compete in a series of qualifying events, just like the real competition.
Competitors are split up into 4 categories based on their Golf 5 handicap. The top 20 players from each of these categories will be elidgable to compete in the VR Open finals at Hoylake from July 15th to August 19th.
They’ll also receive an in-app vanity card complete with a free six-month subscription to The Virtual Open Zone at Hoylake so they can compete whenever they’d like. Those who don’t qualify can still compete as “Red Bage Players,” as well as any other Golf 5 members.
“We have created The VR Open so that fans can engage with the Championship like never before using technology and the Metaverse,” said Neil Armit, chief commercial officer at The R&A, in an official release.
“This is an important development as we aim to attract new audiences to the sport and the advancement of technology enables us to offer ground-breaking experiences that are unique in golf,” he added, “We look forward to seeing the reaction of fans as the first ever VR Open takes place this summer.”
“We are thrilled to partner with The R&A to bring an immersive and authentic golf experience to life through virtual reality,” said Antonio Marin, President and Co-Founder of Golf 5. “Our goal is, and always will be, to grow the game we all love globally.”
VR Open Qualifiers are taking place now with the main competition happening from July 15th to August 19th. The main winner will receive a trophy and tickets to the actual 152nd Open in 2024. Winners from each category will also go home with limited edition VR Open memorabilia.
For more information check out the official announcement here. Golf 5 is available now on Meta Quest, PC VR, and Pic headsets.
Feature Image Credit: The R&A, Golf 5