2K ships 2 million copies of PGA Tour 2K21 as video game golf heats up

Become a member of GB MAX to gain exclusive access to the industry and to the most influential global B2B leadership community in the business of gaming, entertainment, and tech. Join now and also get a VIP ticket to GamesBeat Next (Nov 2-3, SF).

It is high tide for video game golf. Publisher 2K Games has shipped 2 million copies of PGA Tour 2K21 since its August debut. Take-Two Interactive, 2K’s parent company, called the game “highly successful,” which is one of the reasons 2K acquired PGA Tour developer HB Studios.

These hot sales for 2K21 come as Electronic Arts and Nintendo plan to release golf games in the next 12 months. Nintendo is launching Mario Golf: Super Rush on June 25. That game brings the franchise to Switch for the first time. EA, meanwhile, is building a direct competitor to PGA Tour 2K21 with its EA Sports PGA Tour. In a tweet on May 17, EA confirmed that it is releasing PGA Tour in 2022.

When it launches, EA’s PGA Tour will have the exclusive rights to the four PGA majors. This includes the PGA Championship, The Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open Championship, and The Open Championship.

For its part, HB Studios and 2K Games plan to counter EA by teaming with Tiger Woods.

“We are very excited about the growth potential for the PGA Tour 2K series, especially as 2K has agreed to an exclusive, long-term agreement with golf legend and icon, Tiger Woods, to serve as its executive director and consultant,” reads Take-Two’s financial report. “We believe this will enhance the series’ ongoing innovation and authenticity.”

2K confirmed over email today that it will still be making a PGA Tour 2K games.

“2K still has the PGA Tour license and the PGA Tour 2K franchise will continue in the future, We’re not ready to make an announcement regarding the next game just yet,” a spokesperson said.

Of course, neither EA or 2K’s game have King Bob-Omb.

A real king.

And really, isn’t that better than Tiger Woods?