Nelly Korda recently expressed her astonishment that TGL, the innovative golf league integrating technology with simulator play, has not yet established a coed division. TGL, which has been performing remarkably well in its second season, has garnered praise from both professional golfers and fans for its fresh approach to the sport and its ability to attract new enthusiasts.
This month, TGL revealed plans to expand into women’s golf by launching the WTGL, set to debut next year. The new league has already received commitments from several prominent female golfers, including world number one Jeeno Thitikul, Lexi Thompson, Lydia Ko, Rose Zhang, Charley Hull, Brooke Henderson, and Lottie Woad.
However, one of the biggest names in women’s golf, Nelly Korda, has yet to confirm her involvement. During a media session before the LPGA Tour’s opening event in Orlando, she candidly shared her mixed feelings about the WTGL initiative. "If I’m being really honest, I have mixed feelings about it," Korda told Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols. "I think it’s a huge and unbelievable miss that we’re not playing alongside the men. There’s no better way to grow the game, and it would have been groundbreaking to see men and women competing on the same field for equal prizes. Nevertheless, I do appreciate the opportunity we are being given, which contributes to my mixed feelings."
The concept of a coed league has been discussed since TGL's launch, and mixed-gender golf events, such as the Grant Thornton Invitational, have received significant acclaim from the golfing community. Fans are eager for more mixed competitions, and TGL presents an ideal opportunity to realize this vision.
In traditional golf tournaments, the arrangements differ for men’s and women’s events. For instance, men typically play from farther back tees, and variations in pin placements, green speeds, and rough thickness further differentiate the two categories. In a TGL setting, such aspects could potentially be standardized, enhancing the appeal of a coed league.
While there is no current plan for TGL to implement this idea, it's an intriguing possibility for the future. Regarding her potential participation in WTGL, Korda mentioned she is still contemplating her options. "I’m currently evaluating the time commitment required," she noted. "I haven’t focused on it much yet because my primary concern is preparing for the upcoming season. I believe they are still working out logistical details, so I will consider my choices shortly."
