Intel to produce VR, live 360 video of PGA Tour this year and next

Intel has inked an exclusive contract with the PGA Tour under which it will produce and globally distribute live virtual reality (VR) and live 360 video at six PGA Tour events this year and next, starting with the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta (21-24 September) and the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey (28 September to 1 October). 

Intel will produce the live VR experience with Intel True VR technology, using panoramic, stereoscopic camera pods to create a natural and realistic view from any direction. The live VR experiences can be viewed on Samsung Gear VR headsets on a global basis through the “PGA Tour VR Live” app available for free on the Oculus store. 

The full VR experience will also be available on demand in the app following each event. For those with no Gear VR headset, the 360 video stream will be available via Twitter and Periscope. Live VR coverage is also being produced at the 2017 Presidents Cup in partnership with NBC Sports. Coverage will include the driving range and capture the “fan chaos” from the opening holes. That week, the app on the Oculus store will be named “Presidents Cup VR Live,” providing both the live and on-demand VR experience, while the 360 video stream will be available via PGA Tour, Presidents Cup, and Golf Channel Twitter and Periscope platforms. 

The other TOUR events confirmed for VR coverage include the 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open and 2018 The Players. Remaining events will be announced later.