Women’s TGL Is a Bold Bet—But Nelly Korda Has a Point Worth Hearing

After 35 years covering professional golf, I’ve watched the sport chase innovation like a weekend warrior chasing birdies—sometimes brilliantly, sometimes desperately, and occasionally both at once. The launch of Women’s TGL this winter feels like one of those pivotal moments, and I need to be honest: it’s simultaneously one of the smartest things the game has done for women’s golf and a missed opportunity that might haunt us for years.

Let me explain.

The Good News First

What Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, and TMRW Sports have built with the original TGL was genuinely impressive. I covered the first season closely, and despite some early skeptics (myself included), the format worked. Fast-paced, visually dynamic, and packaged for modern sports audiences—it addressed a real problem in professional golf: the game’s pace and presentation often feel glacial to younger fans.

Now they’re extending that model to the women’s game, and the player list confirms they’re serious about it. You’ve got World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, World No. 3 Charley Hull, Lexi Thompson, Lydia Ko, and notably, Michelle Wie West coming out of retirement. That’s star power. That’s legitimacy.

The venue itself—that massive 64-by-53-foot simulator screen (picture a five-story building), paired with the rotating 41-yard-wide GreenZone turntable—is nothing short of spectacular. Having watched the men’s version, I can tell you it’s theater in the best sense. It showcases skill while entertaining casuals. That matters.

Where the Conversation Gets Interesting

But then there’s Nelly Korda. World No. 2, one of golf’s brightest talents, and she’s not holding back.

“I have mixed feelings on it if I’m being very honest…and I’m surprised no other girls have, or no one’s really spoken out about it. I think it’s a huge and unbelievable miss that we’re not playing alongside the men.”

Korda went further, laying out what she sees as the real opportunity:

“There’s no greater way to grow the game, and it would have been revolutionary. It would have been the first time, I think, that men and women are on the same playing field, playing for the same exact amount of money.”

And here’s the thing—she’s not wrong. Not entirely, anyway.

In my experience, women’s professional golf has always struggled with a perception problem that’s not about the quality of play—it’s about visibility and perceived legitimacy. Mixed-field competition changes that calculus instantly. Look at tennis. Look at cycling. The moment men and women compete together under the same rules for equal purses, something fundamental shifts in how the sport is perceived by sponsors, broadcasters, and casual audiences.

Kord’s criticism reveals an uncomfortable truth: WTGL, for all its innovation and investment, is still—by necessity—a segregated product. That’s not a judgment; it’s simply reality given how professional golf is structured. But it does mean we’re still building parallel infrastructure rather than truly integrating the game.

The Complexity Behind the Criticism

That said, I won’t pretend the logistics of mixed-field TGL are simple. There’s the competitive structure, equipment considerations, and yes, the commercial reality that LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler was careful to address:

“Partnering with TMRW Sports on WTGL reflects our belief that innovation can help the game reach new fans and create greater visibility for LPGA athletes. I’ve seen how new formats can engage audiences while showcasing both athlete personality and performance, and WTGL brings that spirit of innovation to the women’s game.”

Kessler’s framing is diplomatic but purposeful. WTGL isn’t meant to compete with the men’s version—it’s meant to build its own platform and fanbase. That’s a legitimate strategy.

Confirmed Players for WTGL (Winter 2026-27)

• Jeeno Thitikul (World No. 1)
• Charley Hull (World No. 3)
• Lexi Thompson (Major winner)
• Lydia Ko (LPGA Hall of Famer)
• Michelle Wie West (Returning from retirement)
• Brooke Henderson
• Lottie Woad
• Rose Zhang

What This Really Means

Here’s my take after three decades on the beat: WTGL is genuinely significant, but it’s not the revolution it could have been. It’s an excellent step forward that simultaneously reveals how much further we need to go.

The format itself will be a hit. The technology is stunning, the players are world-class, and the presentation will appeal to modern audiences. LPGA Commissioner Kessler is right about innovation driving engagement. I expect strong viewership and genuine excitement when matches begin next winter.

But Kord’s hesitation—her sense that this represents a “miss”—resonates because she’s identifying a moment when golf could have done something transformative and chose, instead, to do something very good.

The positive news? WTGL doesn’t close the door on that possibility forever. If the inaugural season succeeds commercially, why couldn’t a future iteration feature mixed teams? Why couldn’t a format evolve to incorporate head-to-head competition between the tours?

For now, women’s professional golf is getting a platform it deserves, built with resources and innovation that match the men’s investment. That’s worth celebrating. Whether it’s ultimately the game-changing moment we needed remains to be seen.