World No. 1 Nelly Korda announced she will not participate in the inaugural season of the Women’s TGL (WTGL), the new indoor golf league created as the women’s counterpart to the men’s league founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
League officials keep options open
Rufus Hack, president of golf for Woods’ and McIlroy’s company TMRW Sports, told reporters at WTGL’s media day that the league has had extensive conversations with Korda and her team. “We had lots of conversations with Nelly and her team, and effectively the decision was made that she wasn’t going to participate in Season 1,” Hack said. “The door is certainly not closed for season two and beyond, and we continue to have very constructive conversations. And we would love Nelly to be part of WTGL at some point.”
Korda’s mixed feelings about the concept
Korda previously expressed enthusiasm for the idea of men and women competing side‑by‑side for equal prize money, calling the missed opportunity “a huge and unbelievable miss” in a January interview with Golfweek. “It would have been the first time that men and women were on the same playing field, playing for the same amount of money,” she said, adding that she still appreciates the chance for the league to move forward.
WTGL’s launch plans
WTGL is set to begin play on Nov. 8 and run through Dec. 23, ahead of the third season of the men’s TGL, which is slated for early 2027. The league has not yet disclosed the season‑one purse. Twenty‑five players have signed on for the first season, forming five teams of five golfers each. Retired LPGA stars Lexi Thompson and Michelle Wie West are expected to be the biggest name‑recognition draws.
Hack emphasized the quality of the field: “We’ve got 25 of the world’s best golfers, huge personalities, as well as world‑class players, and we’re really focused on who we have got here.”
Korda’s recent success
At 28, Korda has already captured four LPGA tournament victories this year, including major titles at the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open. She currently leads the LPGA’s season‑long Race to the CME Globe, underscoring her status as one of the sport’s top competitors.
While she will sit out the first WTGL season, Korda’s continued dialogue with TMRW Sports suggests the possibility of a future appearance, keeping fans hopeful that the league will eventually feature the sport’s premier female talent.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
