“A Huge and Unbelievable Miss”: Nelly Korda Calls Out Tiger and Rory's Initiative
JERSEY CITY, NJ - MAY 19: Nelly Korda of the United States at the first tee during the final round of the Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National Golf Club on May 19, 2024 in Jersey City, New Jersey. Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAY 19 LPGA, Golf Damen Mizuho Americas Open EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2405194719
JERSEY CITY, NJ - MAY 19: Nelly Korda of the United States at the first tee during the final round of the Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National Golf Club on May 19, 2024 in Jersey City, New Jersey. Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAY 19 LPGA, Golf Damen Mizuho Americas Open EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2405194719
A missed opportunity, even if a strategic one.
While on the range Tuesday at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club, the two-time major winner and Olympic gold medalist Nelly Korda addressed the new league WTGL.
WTGL (Women’s Tomorrow’s Golf League) is an indoor, team-based golf league designed for LPGA Tour players with a technology-driven format.
Speaking to Golfweek, Nelly Korda said it was “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.”
BELLEAIR, FL - NOVEMBER 14: LPGA, Golf Damen golfer Nelly Korda plays her tee shot on the 18th hole during The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican on November 14, 2025, at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire. GOLF: NOV 14 LPGA The ANNIKA EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon25111466
BELLEAIR, FL - NOVEMBER 14: LPGA, Golf Damen golfer Nelly Korda plays her tee shot on the 18th hole during The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican on November 14, 2025, at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire. GOLF: NOV 14 LPGA The ANNIKA EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon25111466
Korda explained that it could have marked the first instance of men and women competing on the same stage for equal prize money.
At the same time, she acknowledged, “But I also think it's great that we are getting this opportunity, so that's my mixed feelings.”
The league (WTGL) was officially announced in January 2026 through a partnership between the LPGA and TMRW Sports, the company co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. It serves as the women’s counterpart to the original TGL.
Korda said she had expected a woman to be included on each TGL team and emphasized that she does not view the concept negatively.
Instead, she pointed out that while the opportunity remains important for the LPGA, she believes it could have carried more impact if men and women had competed together.
While Korda remains undecided, several top-ranked players have already finalized their commitments.
WTGL’s first roster takes shape as Nelly Korda weighs her decision
The WTGL confirmed its first group of players, featuring several LPGA Tour names.
The initial commitments include world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, LPGA Hall of Famer Lydia Ko, Brooke Henderson, Lexi Thompson, and Charley Hull.
The league added Rose Zhang and Lottie Woad to the roster on Tuesday. WTGL is designed to highlight LPGA players through a media-based format that centers on competition and player engagement.
At the same time, it offers a winter option in the United States for North American players, reducing the need to travel during the LPGA’s Asian swing.
The team league is set to launch in winter 2026–27.
Is Korda right to feel this is a missed opportunity? Tell us what you think in the comments!
Written by
Aditi Singh
Edited by
Oajaswini Prabhu