The inaugural Women’s Team Golf League (WTGL), founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, is set to launch this November at the SoFi Center in Florida, marking a significant moment in the evolution of women’s golf. This new indoor league aims to capitalize on the sport’s recent growth by combining a fast-paced, team-based format with the use of advanced technology to engage a broader and younger audience.
The WTGL will feature 25 elite golfers divided into five teams, including Major champions, Olympians, LPGA legends, and several prominent players from the Asia-Pacific region. Among the confirmed participants are Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul, China’s Yin Ruoning, South Korea’s Ina Yoon, Japan’s Yuka Saso, twins Chisato and Akie Iwai, Australia’s Lee Min-jee, and New Zealand’s Lydia Ko. These players bring immediate credibility and global recognition to the league.
Jeeno Thitikul, who is currently ranked No. 2 in the world with 10 LPGA Tour victories, expressed enthusiasm about the league’s potential to broaden the appeal of women’s golf. “The team format, fast pace and technology can introduce golf to a new generation of fans,” she said. Similarly, China’s Yin Ruoning, a former world No. 1 with six LPGA titles, emphasized the value of the league as a platform for players to showcase their skills and personalities while attracting new audiences.
The WTGL targets an emerging demographic, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, where female golfers are rising as global stars and inspiring younger generations. The league’s innovative approach aims to create an entertaining alternative to traditional golf competitions on the LPGA Tour, blending competitive sport with a modern entertainment experience.
Participation data underlines the significance of this development. According to the National Golf Foundation, women and girls accounted for 52% of the increase in golf participation in the United States between 2020 and 2025. Female involvement in golf has reached record levels, and junior female players now represent 35% of young golfers nationwide. Globally, women comprise about one-third of adult golfers in major markets, with participation rising from 31% to 34% in the past year, based on data from The R&A.
South Korean player Ina Yoon highlighted the cultural relevance of indoor golf in her home country, where “screen golf” has supported the development of many players. Yoon, who achieved top-five finishes this season in both the Chevron Championship and Women’s PGA Championship, sees the WTGL as a source of inspiration for young girls to take up the sport.
As women’s golf continues to grow internationally, the Women’s Team Golf League aims to accelerate that momentum by offering a dynamic, technology-driven platform that highlights emerging talent and redefines the sport’s entertainment value. Its success could influence how golf engages new audiences and nurtures future generations of players worldwide.