Nelly Korda Skips WTGL's First Season, but Door Stays Open
By Staff Writer
3 min read
Key takeaways
- Nelly Korda, the world No. 1, will not play in WTGL's inaugural season despite talks with the league.
- WTGL's first season begins Nov. 8 at SoFi Center with Los Angeles Golf Club facing New York Golf Club.
- The league features 10 players ranked in the top 25 in the world, plus Lexi Thompson and Michelle Wie West.
- TGL, the men's equivalent, paid a $21 million purse across its first two seasons, with $9 million to the winning team.
- WTGL has not announced its purse, though it is expected to land near the $10.72 million average of the five women's majors.
Nelly Korda will sit out WTGL's first season, but the league says it hasn't given up on adding the world No. 1 in the future. TMRW Sports, which created the simulator-golf league with the LPGA, confirmed Korda's absence at WTGL's media day in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on Sept. 20.
Why Isn't Korda Playing in WTGL?
Rufus Hack, president of golf for TMRW Sports, said the league held extensive talks with Korda and her team before she opted out of season one. Discussions are ongoing about future seasons. "We would love Nelly to be part of WTGL at some point," Hack said.
Korda has described mixed feelings about the league before, saying in January that she was surprised more LPGA players hadn't spoken up about being left out of TGL, the men's simulator league that inspired WTGL's format. She called it a missed chance for men and women to compete on the same platform for equal money, while also welcoming the opportunity WTGL provides.
A women's simulator league can debut without its biggest star, but it will grow faster with her in it.
When Does WTGL Start and Who Is Playing?
The inaugural season opens Nov. 8 at SoFi Center, with Los Angeles Golf Club and New York Golf Club, two of the league's five founding franchises, meeting in the first match. The roster includes 10 top-25 world-ranked players along with Lexi Thompson and Michelle Wie West. WTGL fields five teams of five golfers each, using five of TGL's seven franchises: Atlanta Drive GC, Boston Common Golf, Los Angeles, Motor City and New York. It does not include Jupiter Links GC, which is co-owned by Tiger Woods' TGR Ventures.
How Does WTGL's Purse Compare to TGL's?
| TGL (men) | WTGL (women) | |
|---|---|---|
| Teams | 6, growing to 7 | 5 |
| Players per team | 4, growing to 5 | 5 |
| Total purse | $21 million | Not yet announced |
| Winning team share | $9 million | Not yet announced |
TGL's $21 million purse is close to the average payout at a men's major. WTGL has not revealed its purse, but it is expected to approach the $10.72 million average of the five women's majors. TGL enters its third season once WTGL's inaugural season concludes.
What's Behind the Scheduling Conflicts?
Some players have pointed to scheduling overlap between TGL and WTGL, which share a similar concentration of top-25 talent. Hack said the league builds its calendar around the LPGA offseason while accounting for international players who prefer to spend time at home during that stretch.
Frequently asked questions
What is WTGL?
WTGL is a simulator-based golf league for LPGA players, created by TMRW Sports and the LPGA using the same format as the men's TGL.
When does the WTGL season start?
The inaugural season begins Nov. 8 at SoFi Center, with Los Angeles Golf Club playing New York Golf Club.
Will Nelly Korda ever play in WTGL?
League officials say the door remains open for future seasons, though no timeline has been set.
How many teams are in WTGL?
Five founding franchises compete in the first season, each fielding five golfers.
How much money is on the line in WTGL?
The purse has not been announced, but it is expected to be near the $10.72 million average of the five women's majors.
- Nelly Korda
- WTGL
- TGL
- TMRW Sports
- LPGA
- Rufus Hack
- SoFi Center
- Lexi Thompson
- Michelle Wie West
