LPGA Tour World No. 1 Reveals Why Nelly Korda’s Demand Isn’t Possible Now; Not Yet
May 11, 2025, Jersey City, New Jersey, United States of America: NELLY KORDA of the United States looks on during the final round of the Mizuho Americas Open 2025 at Liberty National Golf Club on May 11, 2025 in Jersey City, New Jersey. Jersey City United States of America - ZUMAb273 20250511_zsp_b273_026 Copyright: xJordanxBankx
May 11, 2025, Jersey City, New Jersey, United States of America: NELLY KORDA of the United States looks on during the final round of the Mizuho Americas Open 2025 at Liberty National Golf Club on May 11, 2025 in Jersey City, New Jersey. Jersey City United States of America - ZUMAb273 20250511_zsp_b273_026 Copyright: xJordanxBankx
Nelly Korda wants to play alongside the men in the new team golf league. But the world's No. 1 golfer, Jeeno Thitikul, says it's not that simple. She explained why Korda's demand isn't possible—at least for now.
“Well, I would agree with that, too,” the Thai star confessed during the presser at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club. “Obviously I think it should be hard at the first time to be able to mix us together at the first time. I believe they might do it nearly in the future.”
Thitikul revealed that the officials told her that things could coexist in the next couple of years. But it’s not easy to schedule the mixed-gender games at the same time.
Giving her own example, Thitikul pointed out getting Xander Schauffele from the PGA Tour and members of the LPGA Tour on the Callaway shoots at the same time.
April 18, 2025, Tarzana, California, USA: Jeeno Thitikul during round two of the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro Friday April 18, 2025 at El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana, California. JAVIER ROJAS/PI Tarzana USA - ZUMAp124 20250418_zaa_p124_121 Copyright: xJavierxRojasx
April 18, 2025, Tarzana, California, USA: Jeeno Thitikul during round two of the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro Friday April 18, 2025 at El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana, California. JAVIER ROJAS/PI Tarzana USA - ZUMAp124 20250418_zaa_p124_121 Copyright: xJavierxRojasx
She continued, “Also, they might have to figure out so hard to, you know, how they going to play, which team that's -- because I think in the women's side we don't have enough like players yet that announce. Maybe six players that have been announced now.”
“But I saw in the men's side, they got enough and they got a lot. Hopefully we might have the opportunity in the future, like Nelly said, too.”
But what did Korda say about the mixed-gender event?
What Exactly Did Nelly Korda Say About the WTGL?
"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,” Korda admitted during a conversation with Golfweek. “I think it's a huge and unbelievable miss that we're not playing alongside the men.”
According to her, bringing the men and women together is the greatest way to grow the game. After all, it would have been the first-ever mixed-gender competition in golf, with both genders playing on the same field for the same amount of prize money.
“But I also think it's great that we are getting this opportunity, so that's my mixed feelings,” Korda stated.
Scheduling conflicts and limited LPGA commitments delay mixed-gender play, though both stars expect progress soon. But what do you think of the WTGL’s current scenario?
Written by
Krushna Pattnaik
Edited by
Oajaswini Prabhu