PALM BEACH GARDENS – The creation of the WTGL does not mean the end of a potential mixed indoor golf competition at the SoFi Center.
LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler and TMRW Sports CEO Mike McCarley announced the creation of the WTGL at a press conference on Tuesday, January 6, unveiling a plan to bring together the world’s best female golfers for a modern, televised version of competitive golf.
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Although TMRW Sports’ inclusion of women’s golfers in its TGL offerings has been long overdue, the exact structure has been a subject of speculation among golf fans, particularly whether it would be better to have a standalone women’s league or a co-ed component of the existing TGL.
That was the first question asked by McCarley, who responded with an eager smile and acknowledgment that there had been more than a few conversations on the subject.
“We wanted to create a stage for women’s football and allow the best players to really showcase their personalities,” McCarley said. “We wanted to give them an environment like this, but who knows what the future holds?
“We may get to a point where we look at alternative versions and other opportunities. But first, we are working to make sure we can deliver the WTGL with the best players in the world with the LPGA as a partner over the winter of this year.”
TMRW/Sports Founder and CEO Mike McCarley, left, and LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler answer questions after announcing the WTGL golf league at SoFi Center on January 6, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
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It’s a perfect opportunity for Kessler, who took over as LPGA commissioner in July 2025 and said she has “goosebumps” at her tour’s new platform.
“This is an opportunity to showcase the personality of our athletes,” Kessler said. “I would say part of my job is getting to know our athletes, both inside and outside the ropes. They are incredible people and WTGL will be a platform to help the rest of the world see some of the things I’ve seen over the last six months.”
Although no specific details about WTGL players were announced Tuesday, McCarley said audiences can expect a similar product — “straightforward for casual fans” — to what they saw from TGL in its first two seasons. The competition will be segmented into two-hour live television blocks and teams will have names based on city.
TMRW Sports’ expansion into women’s golf is perhaps the most significant development among the organization’s recent growth trends. TGL Golf Holdings has filed trademarks for TGL teams based in Texas and Chicago, while Detroit-based Motor City Golf Club is set to join the league in 2027.
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McCarley hinted that the expansion could eventually target an overseas audience, particularly given the wealth of international talent in women’s golf.
“We are fortunate to have built this place in the world here where most of the best players, men and women, live, South Florida is ideal for that,” McCarley said. “That makes it pretty easy for most of these players to make it work.
“But are we going to expand, are we going to grow? Are we going to go somewhere else? I think time will tell, but the current indication is yes.”
Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor of the Palm Beach Post. He can be contacted at [email protected].
This article was originally published on the Palm Beach Post: Why the LPGA chose to form the WTGL instead of the mixed TGL
