WTGL Unveils Inaugural Rosters: 25 Players Locked for November Debut

The waiting is over, and the stakes for November are officially set. On Monday, August 31, the Women's Team Golf League (WTGL) unveiled the complete five-player rosters for its five founding franchises, locking in the 25 athletes who will debut the tech-infused indoor league at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. For a sport that traditionally thrives on individual endurance across 72 holes, this is a massive pivot toward prime-time, high-octane tribalism.[1]

Created by TMRW Sports—the Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy-backed venture—in partnership with the LPGA, the WTGL mirrors the men's TGL format. It promises fast-paced, mic'd-up team match play under the lights, designed specifically for modern television consumption. The 25 women signed to the inaugural season aren't just filling out a bracket; they bring a staggering collective resume of 112 LPGA Tour victories, 15 major championships, and 48 Solheim Cup appearances. This is the absolute elite of the sport, stepping into a simulator arena.[1]

The roster construction reveals how the billionaire ownership groups are approaching the draft. Steve Cohen’s New York Golf Club secured a blockbuster lineup, headlined by recent Olympic gold medalist and Hall of Famer Lydia Ko. She is joined by rising superstar Rose Zhang, major champion Danielle Kang, Swedish standout Linn Grant, and Yana Wilson. It is a roster built on a mix of established dominance and explosive young talent.[1]

On the West Coast, Alexis Ohanian’s Los Angeles Golf Club leans heavily into star power and local ties. The LAGC squad features 2014 U.S. Women's Open champion Michelle Wie West, who notably also holds a limited-partner ownership stake in the franchise. She is flanked by two-time Solheim Cup competitor Alison Lee, Mexican Olympian Gaby Lopez, Aki Iwai, and Kiara Romero, creating a lineup that brings massive international appeal to the Los Angeles market.[1]

Arthur M. Blank’s Atlanta Drive GC built a formidable, battle-tested squad. The franchise signed world No. 7 Charley Hull, two-time U.S. Women's Open champion Yuka Saso, and 11-time LPGA winner Minjee Lee. Rounding out the Atlanta roster are Andrea Lee and Nataliya Guseva. Rich McKay, CEO of AMB Sports and Entertainment, noted that the team specifically targeted players whose games would translate well to the unique pressures of the WTGL format, stating that "each of their games features characteristics we feel will complement each other and translate well to WTGL."[1]

Meanwhile, Fenway Sports Group’s Boston Common Golf countered with a roster designed for the gritty reality of match play. French major champion Céline Boutier and American standout Megan Khang anchor the squad, bringing serious Solheim Cup pedigree to the Northeast franchise. They are joined by Lottie Woad, Chizzy Iwai, and Ina Yoon, giving Boston a highly technical lineup that should excel in the precision-demanding simulator environment.[1]

The Detroit-based Motor City Golf Club, owned by Middle West Partners, rounds out the league with an absolute powerhouse roster. The squad features world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul, Canadian star Brooke Henderson, American veteran Lexi Thompson, recent FM Championship winner Ruoning Yin, and Swiss Olympian Albane Valenzuela. It is arguably the most top-heavy roster in the league, loaded with aggressive drivers and proven closers.[1][2]

For the players, the WTGL represents a rare opportunity to break out of the individual grind. Henderson, who rarely gets to play team golf outside of the International Crown competition, emphasized the platform's commercial potential. She noted that the November launch will bring "a new audience and a bigger range of viewers and fans who can see the personalities and the talent of the LPGA Tour," capitalizing on the mic'd-up, interactive broadcast style.[2]

While the talent pool is undeniably deep, the inaugural season will proceed without the biggest draw in American golf: current world No. 1 Nelly Korda opted not to compete in the 2026 debut. Even with her absence, eight of the top 15 players in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings are locked in for the launch. With the 25-player grid finalized, the five franchises now pivot to strategy and simulator prep before the first tee shots are struck in November. The rosters are set; now they just have to prove the format works.