LPGA superstar Nelly Korda has expressed complex reservations regarding the newly announced women’s division of the tech-driven golf league established by legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. The two-time major champion labeled the league’s decision to forgo mixed-gender teams an “unbelievable miss” for the sport, despite welcoming the overall opportunity for female players.
Speaking ahead of the LPGA’s season-opening Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Korda revealed her internal conflict. “I’m surprised no other girls have, or no one’s really spoken out about it,” she stated. “I think it’s a huge and unbelievable miss that we’re not playing alongside the men. 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.
The innovative TMRW Sports league, which utilizes advanced simulators and a movable green within an arena setting, recently commenced its second season at a custom-built venue in South Florida. This month, organizers confirmed a parallel women’s league, the WTGL, would launch in the 2026-27 season.
The venture has already attracted a constellation of LPGA talent, including world number one Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, Canada’s Brooke Henderson, England’s Charley Hull, and American veteran Lexi Thompson.
Hull, while sharing the venue inspection experience this week, expressed gratitude for the opportunity despite the separation. “I’m just grateful for them giving us an opportunity no matter what really,” Hull commented. “Could be something they build in the future, you never know. I feel like them giving us an opportunity to go out there on the same stage as the guys even though it’s not at the same time… I really respect that.” She was particularly impressed by the high-tech SoFi Center’s mechanics, noting the realistic ball reaction on the moving green.
Thitikul, yet to visit the venue, voiced optimism that the indoor format would provide a powerful platform to showcase the elite skill level present in women’s golf, potentially attracting new audiences to the sport.