Report: Tiger Woods set to design £30m golf course in landmark deal

Tiger Woods has reportedly been selected to design a major new golf course on Northern Ireland's north coast, according to a report. 

The proposed £30m development, planned for Bellarena near Magilligan, was first announced last year. 

If completed, the project would mark a significant addition to the region's golf landscape, with the course set to be the first new links layout of its kind in Northern Ireland in a century.

The scheme is being developed by Galgorm Collection, the hospitality business that already owns and operates parkland golf courses in Ballymena and Limavady. 

The company has previously outlined its ambition to strengthen the Causeway Coast's standing as an internationally recognised golf destination.

Speculation about the identity of the course designer has circulated in recent weeks.

And now the Derry Journal are reporting Woods and his TGR Design team are involved.

"We received a briefing and it was confirmed to us that Tiger Woods has been signed up to design the course at Bellarena," a Causeway Coast and Glens councillor said.

Galgorm Collection also stopped short of confirming the identity of its chosen designer.

A spokesperson for the company said: "We are progressing plans for a proposed championship course at Bellarena, on Northern Ireland's Causeway Coast. 

"We look forward to confirming a design appointment in due course.”

Should Woods' involvement be officially confirmed, the project would represent his first golf course design commission in Ireland.

TGR Design was founded in 2006. 

Its portfolio includes Bluejack National in Texas, El Cardonal at Diamante in Mexico and Payne's Valley in Missouri. 

The firm has also designed shorter layouts, including The Hay at Pebble Beach in California.

Other projects include Bluejack Ranch in Texas, Trout National in New Jersey and a proposed course at Tributer Resort in Virginia. 

TGR Design is also linked to projects in Vietnam and Philadelphia.

Tiger Woods set for 2027 return to golf

Elsewhere, it appears Tiger Woods is closing in on a return to the sport.

Woods, who has not made a competitive appearance since missing the cut at the 2024 Open, has been absent from the sport following a rollover crash in March which resulted in a five-year driving ban. 

But his former TGL teammate, Kevin Kisner, believes the 50-year-old wants to feature in plenty of matches in season three. 

His comments have got tongues wagging that Woods could also play in the Hero World Challenge in December and target an appearance at the 2027 Masters. 

It's also likely that Woods will team up with his teenage son, Charlie, again at the PNC Championship.