Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods’ innovative indoor simulator league, TGL, has launched a women’s counterpart called WTGL. Top LPGA talents including Charley Hull, Lydia Ko, Lexi Thompson, and Michelle Wie West will compete in the new format, which closely resembles the men’s version.
Momentum Builds for Mixed-Gender Competition
Recent successes in mixed events like the Grant Thornton Invitational, which pairs PGA Tour and LPGA Tour players, have fueled calls for more integrated play. TGL, entering its second season amid challenges to engage mainstream fans, could benefit from such innovation.
Wyndham Clark Embraces Idea of Joint Play
US Open champion Wyndham Clark expressed enthusiasm for including LPGA players in TGL matches. After competing alongside Lexi Thompson at the Grant Thornton Invitational, Clark shared his thoughts post-match.
“Yeah, I don’t see why not,” Clark said. “The Grant Thornton was a blast. I got to play with Lexi. It’s really fun seeing their game, how good they are in certain parts of their game, that maybe they excel more than guys, and vice versa.”
He added, “Yeah, it’s fun to compete with someone else that you’re not used to competing with. At TGL, I think that would be a blast. I think it would be good for the fans. So who knows. I know right now it’s just girls versus girls, but yeah, that would be kind of fun. Maybe there’s a Bay women’s team, and we do some cool stuff. I think that would be great.”
Clark’s stance highlights a potential bridge between the PGA Tour and the rising LPGA Tour through TGL’s unique format.
Nelly Korda Voices Mixed Feelings
Two-time major winner Nelly Korda offered a nuanced view on the separate women’s league. “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,” she stated upon the announcement.
Korda continued, “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. It would have been the first time, I think, that men and women are on the same playing field, playing for the same exact amount of money. But I also think it’s great that we are getting this opportunity, so that’s my mixed feelings.”
While TGL currently plans separate leagues, comments from Clark and Korda suggest future mixed competitions could emerge to boost the sport’s appeal.
