The Bigger WTGL Story Isn’t About Who’s Missing

WEST CALDWELL, N.J. — Ever since WTGL was announced in January, there’s been one player everyone has wanted to see join more than anyone else. And as the season has started—with Nelly Korda playing some of the best golf we're seeing from anyone—her absence from the committed player list has only become a bigger talking point. That’s understandable. But the conversation has reached a point where it hangs over nearly every discussion about the league, which feels...a bit unfair.

At the LPGA's season opener in Florida, Korda openly expressed her thoughts on the league missing an opportunity by not having men and women compete alongside each other, saying "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."

Like many others, I agreed with her (and I still do). I feel like her involvement would give the league an added layer of legitimacy and it's something that I'm still holding out hope for, if she stays healthy throughout this season.

But I'm also at the point that I don't feel like WTGL, just like the LPGA Tour, doesn't need one star, it's needs a collective who can bring out the best in each other. And ultimately the reality, though many may disagree, is that Nelly Korda (and her participation) is not going to be the thing that makes or breaks WTGL.

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By design team golf is the easiest, most simplified why to unionize players and giving them a common goal. Just by having one or two matches a week for 6-8 weeks is more time together than they get with the current schedule, having the Solheim Cup and International Crown every other year.

The camaraderie that comes from being on those teams is something that every LPGA player who has had the opportunity to experience them speaks about and with such sentimental fervor. They crave the competition that turns into representing more than just themselves.

Team United States reacts after winning the Solheim Cup during the Sunday Singles matches during the final round of the 2024 Solheim Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Earlier this week, ahead of play at the Mizuho Americas Open, six new faces were named to join WTGL for its first season, bringing the total to 14 players.

Celine Boutier, Danielle Kang, Megan Khang, Andrea Lee, Minjee Lee, and Albane Valenzuela will join fellow LPGA stars Jeeno Thitikul, Charley Hull, Lydia Ko, Lottie Woad, Brooke Henderson, Rose Zhang, Lexi Thompson, and Michelle Wie West for the inaugural season that will kick off later this year.

And it feels kismet that the latest iteration of WTGL commits came during the week of the Mizuho, the event hosted by none other than Wie West, especially due to the fact that 36-year-old has announced that she'll be coming out of retirement for the league's maiden season.

The 2014 U.S. Women's Open champion's added involvement (going from TGL team owner to WTGL player) was the little dose of nostalgia that gave this thing legs in my opinion. Her commitment is such a great get as she's still one of the most recognizable names and faces in the game. Her popularity has spanned over two decades, she remains connected with so many players that she's the bridge between generations.

"I think these players, LPGA players, have such amazing personalities. You can kind of already tell with the press conferences that have been coming out," Wie West said earlier this week at Mizuho. "I think any platform that can give LPGA players a sounding board and opportunity to showcase their talent, personalities, I think TGL is perfect for that. I think we're going to reach new audiences hopefully."

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And something that I think needs to be emphasized is that the players who are involved aren't random. In fact it's all very intentional. I reached out to team who developed TGL and are working on building out the women's league for comment and this is what they shared, "Player recruitment for WTGL has been very positive. The 14 LPGA Tour players now committed—a group that includes major champions, Olympians, Solheim Cup players and global stars—reflects the enthusiasm we’re seeing from players, ownership groups and partners as we prepare for WTGL’s inaugural season."

And when you put it in laymen's terms like that, it helps to put things into perspective.

This is an entertainment product just as much as it is a competition, and collecting personalities who can not only play incredible golf, but add value outside of their golf game is exactly why the league was created. This isn't just the LPGA 2.0, this is something different.

WTGL has a player relations team that is in ongoing conversations with the athletes and the Tour to help build out a roster that reflects the depth, talent, personality and global reach of women's golf. And conversations are far from finalized.

"Having gone through a similar process with TGL, we understand the importance of balancing player schedules, competitive fit, team chemistry and broader league goals when building rosters. Most importantly, we are prioritizing players’ LPGA and professional schedules. WTGL is designed to be complementary to the LPGA season and to provide an additional platform for LPGA stars to showcase their talent and personalities in a new team environment," the league told Skratch.

Back in February, I finally got the chance to see exactly how the TGL sausage is made. I had seen it on TV, I had followed the social media buzz primarily on Twitter, but you don't really get it until you can experience up close. And as far as live sports are concerned, TGL has legs to be the the snack-able version of golf that casual fans need, in order for our game to keep growing. For the ones who want more action and banter, TGL and soon, WTGL will be the answer.

Because let's face it, not everyone is going to go out and buy tickets to the average Tour event. And though professional golf broadcasts are steadily improving the on the fan and viewer experience, they still cater towards the golf traditionalists. And not everyone is getting equal screen time, this is a new pathway for the unsung stars of the Tour to put themselves out there and grow a following.

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TGL is higher in energy, the technology is cool, and golf fans get to interact with each other in a new way—which was an unexpected, yet pleasant surprise for me. Just like at a baseball game or sitting in a football stadium, you're sat next to complete strangers who are there for the exact same reason you are, and the shared intimacy that can happen only at a live sporting event is palpable at the SoFi Center.

My one caveat is that ticket prices for TGL matches are far more expensive than I expected. The average cost for one ticket will run you around $160-$250. It places limitation on those in the area who are curious about the product and takes away the spontaneity of a causal fan looking for something to do early in the week. The average LPGA event ticket runs from $30-$60 for general admission, and I think that's the sweet spot for this kind of thing—make it feels more accessible for all.

Inside the SoFi Center.(Image credit: Skratch)

Outside of Wie West's involvement, the diversity in the talent that WTGL will bring can't be understated.

For starters, Megan Khang is undoubtably one of the most charismatic players in golf, period. Her energy is infections. She's beloved by so many in women's golf and she deserves a spotlight like WTGL. She was built for this and I can't wait for folks to see her in action. (And fair warning, she said she'll need a possible bleep button for the mic.)

Then there's the rising talent in players like Lottie Woad and Rose Zhang, two golfers who have experienced success in their careers so early, both winning their LPGA professional debuts.

Charley Hull is the people's princess. She's so beloved by everyone and I think she's another one who will be able to dish it. She's quick-witted and doesn't waist time when she's playing, so the format will allow her to shine bright.

Minjee Lee brings a calming aura, and so does Andrea Lee, but calm doesn't mean lack of fire power. I mean the list goes on as to why these players were selected. It makes sense.

There are no misses in this lineup if you look at it holistically. The league works when everyone wants to be there and is bought in. That’s the entire point of a team format like this: the product is stronger when the spotlight is shared instead of resting on one person’s shoulders.

I believe that WTGL doesn’t need a singular face to validate it. If anything, building the league around a collective instead of one undeniable superstar gives it a chance to create new stars, new rivalries, and a deeper connection with fans. A roster full of invested players matters, and dare I say, more than one name dominating the conversation.