Tiger Woods Online launches to dismay of corporations, productivity consultants, and loyal marriages

April 15th, 2010

Just in time for The Masters, Electronic Arts announced the launch of Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online. And it's free to play on your web browser, so long as you don't mind replaying the same public courses and wearing the same crusty old gear.

Developed by the Madden team (aka EA Tiburon), the game promises to be the most "authentic and feature-rich golf game available through a web browser." Same 3D graphics. No disc or installation.

In addition to free online multiplayer with unlimited access to featured courses, players can buy monthly memberships for $10 or yearly memberships for $60 to unlock new courses and Pro Shop upgrades. In place of memberships, points cards starting at $10 can also be purchased for a la carte shopping.

“The launch of Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online signals a shift in the traditional distribution model and will change the way that people will be able to access and enjoy their favorite video games for years to come," said EA Sports president Peter Moore.

In other words, bye, bye physical media?

Whatever the case, the release of Tiger Woods Online comes less than two months after the legendary golfer admitted to multiple affairs after checking himself into a Mississippi sex rehab clinic.

I tried the game on my Intel Core 2 Duo, and it was a tad jittery, until I closed unused Firefox tabs, after which it was fine. Is this something you see yourself playing? What about paying for?

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