DELOFTED: Nelly Korda Pulls No Punches! Why the Tech League is an “Unfathomable Miss”
Folks, brace yourselves! Nelly Korda, one of the biggest powerhouses on the LPGA Tour, is making headlines – and not just on the course. She's delivering a clear message regarding the new tech golf league by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. The topic? Her potential participation in the all-women's edition. And her opinion is strong: The absence of mixed teams is an "unfathomable miss" for her!
"Honestly, I'm torn," said the two-time major winner to Golfweek, just before the action kicked off on the course at the season opener, the Tournament of Champions in Orlando. Nelly wonders why no other player, in fact, nobody, has addressed the topic so openly until now.
"For me, it's a huge, unfathomable misstep that we're not playing together with the men," Korda stated. "There would be no better way to grow the game of golf. That would have been a game changer, simply revolutionary!" She added: "It would have been the first time that men and women compete on the same course, with the same stakes, for the exact same prize money. But hey, it's also great that we're getting this opportunity at all. Hence my mixed feelings."
Fact is: The LPGA and TMRW Sports announced this month that a dedicated women's edition of the indoor tech league will launch in 2026-27. This league, which uses simulators for tee shots and a moving green in an arena-style setup, has just kicked off its second season at its purpose-built facility in South Florida.
And some heavyweights are already on board: World number one Jeeno Thitikul from Thailand, Lydia Ko (New Zealand), Brooke Henderson (Canada), Charley Hull (England), and U.S. veteran Lexi Thompson – these LPGA stars have already committed to the initiative.
Charley Hull stated on Wednesday that she is pleased that the WTGL matches will be held in the same venue as the men's – even if they won't be on the green together. "I'm just grateful for this opportunity, no matter what," Hull said. "You never know, maybe they'll expand it in the future. I think it's great that they're giving us the opportunity to play on the same stage as the guys, even if it's not at the same time. I fully respect that."
This week, Hull even had the chance to take a closer look at the high-tech SoFi Center in Orlando, where the matches are held. "It was really impressive how the green moves, how the ball reacts when chipping, how you putt, the screen – everything," she raved. "They've done an amazing job."
Although Jeeno hasn't checked out the venue yet, she hopes that the indoor league is a huge opportunity for more fans to "see how good we are and how good women's sport is." We are curious to see if Nelly Korda changes her mind or if she will
