In a surprising and concerning development, Tiger Woods’s TGL team has issued a stern warning to fans and the general public after reports surfaced about an individual impersonating a team representative and allegedly scamming fans online.
The TGL (Tech-Infused Golf League), co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, has grown rapidly in popularity since its inception. Combining state-of-the-art golf simulators, live arena events, and global fan engagement, the league represents a futuristic approach to the game of golf. But with growth and visibility has come an unfortunate downside: online impersonation and fraud.
The Impersonation Incident
According to a statement released by Tiger Woods’s team, a fraudulent social media account posing as an official representative of Woods’s TGL team has been contacting fans directly, offering fake merchandise, VIP meet-and-greet opportunities, and even promises of “exclusive memberships” in exchange for money or personal information.
“We have been made aware of a fraudulent impersonator claiming to represent Tiger Woods and the TGL team,” read the official statement. “Please be advised that no official representative will ever request personal details or payments through direct messages on social media platforms.”
Fans Report Being Scammed
Several fans have come forward on platforms such as Reddit and Twitter, sharing their experiences of being duped into sending money through PayPal or cryptocurrency for what they believed were authentic offers. In some cases, fans received counterfeit merchandise or were ghosted completely after making payments.
One fan, @GolfLover82, wrote:
“I thought I was getting a signed ball from Tiger’s TGL launch event. Turns out I got scammed by someone pretending to be part of the team. It’s disappointing and embarrassing.”
TGL and Tiger Woods Respond
The TGL organization has taken immediate steps by reporting the impersonator accounts to platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook. They also advised fans to interact only with verified accounts and directed users to the official TGL website for legitimate updates and merchandise.
Tiger Woods himself briefly addressed the matter in a press appearance, stating:
“It’s unfortunate that someone would take advantage of fans in this way. We’re working hard to ensure everyone has a safe and authentic experience with TGL.”
How Fans Can Stay Safe
To protect against future scams, fans are urged to:
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Only trust communications from verified social media accounts.
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Avoid sending money or personal information via unsecured methods.
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Report suspicious activity to both the social media platform and TGL’s official support team.
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Purchase merchandise and tickets only through trusted sources.
A Wake-Up Call for the Sports World
This incident serves as a reminder that online impersonation continues to pose a threat, even in professional sports. As TGL gains momentum heading into its second season, maintaining fan trust and security is clearly a top priority for Tiger Woods and his team.