Rory McIlroy takes over as video game cover boy, filling void left by Tiger

TORONTO – Rory McIlroy is taking over the video game spotlight that used to be Tiger Woods’ domain.

Electronic Arts announced Monday that its new golf game, “EA Sports Rory McIlroy PGA Tour,” will be out in June.

“This is a great honour, and something I couldn’t even dream of growing up playing the sport,” the 25-year-old world No. 1 said in a statement. “I really hope people enjoy the game and I’m very glad I can be a part of it.”

The video game developer parted ways with Woods in 2013, with “Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14” the last game bearing his name. EA had been putting out Tiger Woods golf games since 1998.

The McIlroy golf game will be the first EA Sports game using the Frostbite engine. Developers says it will allow for most detailed courses in franchise history while eliminating load times between holes and allowing users to play their shot from almost any location.

The Northern Ireland native says he grew up playing video games, with the made-in-Canada “EA Sports FIFA” soccer game his favourite title.

The new golf game, developed in Orlando, Fla., by EA Tiburon, will be available for Xbox One and PlayStation 4.