LPGA Tour star Nelly Korda has expressed her disappointment over the decision by TGL organizers not to create a mixed-gender event for their indoor golf league, which is slated to debut in 2025. Instead, they have announced a separate women’s edition set to launch at the end of 2026, alongside the already established men’s tournament.
Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods are part of the team behind TGL, which features top players competing using advanced simulators for longer shots and movable greens for putting. News of the women’s league was revealed earlier this month when the first players were named.
Korda, currently ranked World No. 2, stated her belief that this could have been a groundbreaking opportunity for the sport. She commented on her mixed feelings regarding the separate events, saying, “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.” Korda believes having both genders compete for the same prize pool would have created a unique playing field and raised the profile of women’s golf.
As she prepares for the LPGA Tour’s season opener, the Tournament of Champions, Korda has yet to commit to participating in the women’s league, citing the need to evaluate her time commitments and logistics of the event.
Conversely, Charley Hull, Europe’s top-ranked player and committed participant in the upcoming women’s league, voiced her gratitude for the opportunity presented to female golfers. Hull expressed her hope that this event could lead to greater opportunities in the future, saying, “They’re giving us an opportunity to go out there on the same stage as the guys, even though it’s not at the same time.”
Reflecting on her recent attendance at a TGL event, Hull was impressed by the innovative setup, highlighting the potential for similar competitions in colder regions like the UK. She added, “It was like – I watched and I was like, wow, this is pretty unbelievable.” Hull’s enthusiasm suggests that the TGL may continue to evolve and expand, potentially leading to mixed-gender competitions in the future.
As female golfers prepare for their inaugural event, there is a sense of optimism among players that this could open doors for further integration and equality in the sport.