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Rory McIlroy explains WTGL’s format
Rory McIlroy, a professional golfer from Northern Ireland and co-founder of TGL, explained why organizers created a separate women’s competition. His October 2026 comments followed American golfer Nelly Korda’s criticism of the decision.
McIlroy said WTGL would provide female professionals with a dedicated platform to showcase their abilities and personalities. He also supported opportunities for male TGL players to attend matches and promote women’s golf.
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Nelly Korda preferred mixed team competition
Nelly Korda expressed disappointment with WTGL’s separate format in January 2026. The American golfer told Golfweek that bringing male and female professionals together could have created a different opportunity for professional golf.
Korda supported the idea of women competing alongside men for equal prize money. She also recognized that a dedicated women’s competition could provide valuable exposure for female golfers and their professional achievements.
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Rory McIlroy explains the organizers’ decision
Rory McIlroy discussed WTGL during the DP World India Championship in October 2026. He explained that organizers had considered mixed competition before deciding to establish a separate league for female professional golfers.
McIlroy pointed to the men’s TGL competition as an example of how players could reveal different personalities through team golf. He hoped WTGL would create similar opportunities for women beyond traditional tournaments.
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Tiger Woods helped launch TGL in 2025
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy helped establish TGL through TMRW Sports alongside executive Mike McCarley. The indoor team golf competition began on January 7, 2025, combining professional golf with simulator technology.
TGL matches take place at SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Players hit longer shots toward a simulator screen before completing shorter shots and putting on a specially designed physical playing surface.
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WTGL begins competition on November 8
WTGL is scheduled to begin on November 8, 2026, at SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Los Angeles Golf Club will face New York Golf Club in the opening match at 3 p.m. Eastern.
The inaugural season includes 10 regular season matches, followed by playoffs and a championship series. According to the official WTGL schedule, the championship matches are planned for December 22 and December 23, 2026.
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Nelly Korda misses WTGL’s inaugural season
Nelly Korda will not compete during WTGL’s inaugural season beginning November 8, 2026. Her name was absent from the official 25-player roster announced on August 31, following earlier discussions about possible participation.
TMRW Sports golf president Rufus Hack confirmed in September that organizers had communicated with Korda’s representatives. He described those discussions positively and indicated that the organization remained interested in her participation during future seasons.
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WTGL announces 25 players across 5 teams
WTGL confirmed 25 players across 5 teams on August 31, 2026. Each team has 5 golfers on its roster, although only 3 players from each team participate in an individual match.
The franchises are Atlanta Drive GC, Boston Common Golf, Los Angeles Golf Club, Motor City Golf Club, and New York Golf Club. Their ownership groups also operate franchises in the existing men’s TGL competition.
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Lexi Thompson represents Motor City Golf Club
Lexi Thompson joined Motor City Golf Club for WTGL’s inaugural season, according to the August 2026 roster announcement. The American golfer will compete alongside established international players with extensive experience in professional women’s golf.
Motor City’s other players are Jeeno Thitikul, Brooke Henderson, Ruoning Yin, and Albane Valenzuela. Thompson and her teammates bring major championship experience and international backgrounds to a roster representing the Detroit area.
Fun fact:Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods co-founded TMRW Sports in 2022 with sports executive Mike McCarley.
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Lydia Ko joins New York Golf Club
Lydia Ko was named to New York Golf Club’s WTGL roster in August 2026. The New Zealand golfer brings major championship experience and an Olympic gold medal from the 2024 Paris Games to the team.
New York’s remaining players are Rose Zhang, Danielle Kang, Linn Grant, and Yana Wilson. The roster combines experienced LPGA Tour competitors with younger golfers who have established themselves through amateur and professional competition.
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Michelle Wie West returns to competition
Michelle Wie West announced her involvement in WTGL in February 2026 after stepping away from regular LPGA Tour competition. The former U.S. Women’s Open champion joined Los Angeles Golf Club for the inaugural season.
Los Angeles also named Alison Lee, Gaby López, Aki Iwai, and Kiara Romero to its roster. The team combines established professional experience with emerging talent, including players representing several countries in international golf.
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Atlanta Drive GC features major champions
Atlanta Drive GC announced Charley Hull, Minjee Lee, Yuka Saso, Andrea Lee, and Nataliya Guseva for its inaugural WTGL roster. The team was among 5 franchises confirmed during the August 31 announcement.
Minjee Lee has won 3 major championships, while Yuka Saso has captured 2 U.S. Women’s Open titles. Charley Hull has represented Europe in the Solheim Cup, adding international team experience to Atlanta’s roster.
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WTGL announces ESPN and ION coverage
WTGL announced national television agreements with ESPN and ION in September 2026. The broadcast arrangements will bring the inaugural women’s team golf season to American audiences through multiple television networks and programming windows.
ABC will also carry selected WTGL coverage as part of the announced schedule. The agreements involve TMRW Sports, the LPGA, ESPN, and Scripps Sports, which operates the ION television network.
Curious what impressed Scottie Scheffler about Rory McIlroy’s Masters triumph? Check out why Scottie Scheffler praises Rory McIlroy’s resilience after the Masters win.
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WTGL prepares for its December championship
WTGL’s inaugural season will conclude with championship matches scheduled for December 22 and December 23, 2026. The competition will follow a regular-season and playoff format, featuring professional golfers representing 5 franchises.
The league was developed through a partnership between TMRW Sports and the LPGA. Its first season will test a dedicated women’s-team format at the same indoor venue that hosts men’s TGL matches.
Curious how Nelly Korda’s U.S. Open victory reshaped her standing in golf history? Explore why Nelly Korda’s U.S. Open win changes her place in golf history.
Do you agree with Rory McIlroy’s decision to keep WTGL separate from the men’s league, or would mixed teams make golf more exciting? Share your thoughts in the comments!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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