Rory McIlroy has backed TGL's decision to establish a women's division rather than a mixed format, following criticism from Nelly Korda. The world number one in women's golf will not feature in WTGL when it launches next month, having described the absence of mixed competition as a "huge and unbelievable miss".
McIlroy's stance on separate divisions
McIlroy, who co-owns the technology-driven golf league with Tiger Woods through TMRW Sports, supports the choice to keep men's and women's competitions separate. Speaking about the decision, he said: "In my opinion, I think it's amazing to give the women their own platform. When we talked about WTGL, obviously there was talk of a mixed team."
He added: "I mean, I think the guys are going to go and support the women, and we'll be there; we'll be at games, and we'll help to raise the profile of the overall platform. But I do think that it is important to give the women their own platform and encourage them to grow that themselves."
Korda's mixed feelings
Korda, the four-time major winner, expressed her reservations to Golfweek in January. She said: "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 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."
WTGL line-up and McIlroy's outlook
WTGL has assembled a line-up featuring multiple major champions, including Lexi Thompson, Charley Hull, Lydia Ko, Brooke Henderson, Jeeno Thitikul and Michelle Wie West. Korda's non-participation remains notable, alongside her uncertainty regarding the time commitment.
McIlroy also highlighted the benefits of the format for players. He said: "I think from a TGL perspective and the men's, I think it's been really beneficial for guys to show a bit of their personalities and to show a different side of themselves. And, you know, hopefully that'll be the same for the women coming up here in a few weeks."
