Lydia Ko has helped launch women’s golf’s newest team competition, representing New York Golf Club in the opening match of the inaugural WTGL season in Florida.
The New Zealander teamed with Rose Zhang and Sweden’s Linn Grant at SoFi Center, where New York fell 3–1 to Los Angeles Golf Club.
Los Angeles fielded Michelle Wie West, Alison Lee and Mexico’s Gaby López, taking a 2–1 advantage through the opening nine holes before extending its lead during singles to claim the first victory in WTGL history.
A Very Different Stage For Ko
For Ko, the surroundings were a long way removed from a conventional LPGA Tour event.
WTGL combines a giant simulator screen with a rotating green, shot clock, microphones and an arena crowd of around 1,500 spectators.
Matches are designed to fit inside a two-hour broadcast window, putting considerably more emphasis on player interaction and team strategy than traditional tournament golf.
Each contest features 15 holes, beginning with nine holes of three-player alternate-shot Triples before six holes of head-to-head Singles.
The scoreboard reflects points won on individual holes rather than either team’s total number of golf strokes.
Wie West Goes Close To Historic Ace
Wie West produced one of the standout moments of the opening match when she came within inches of recording WTGL’s first hole-in-one.
Her tee shot on the virtual par-three struck the flagstick but stayed out.
Los Angeles had already established an advantage through the Triples session and held firm when the format switched to Singles.
Ko was matched against López during the closing portion of the contest, with the teams eventually finishing 3–1.
Ko Backs New Platform For Women’s Golf
Ko sees WTGL as another opportunity to showcase the personalities at the top of women’s golf.
With players mic’d up and competing alongside teammates, viewers are able to hear conversations and strategic discussions that would normally remain out of reach during a traditional LPGA tournament.
The format also puts players from different generations together, with the return of former US Women’s Open champion Wie West adding another element to the inaugural season.
For New Zealand supporters, Ko provides an immediate connection to the new competition as it attempts to establish itself alongside the men’s TGL.
New York Faces Boston Next
Five teams are contesting the inaugural regular season, with each playing four matches.
The leading four advance to single-elimination semi-finals before the championship is decided through a best-of-three finals series.
New York’s next scheduled match is against Boston Common Golf on Monday 30 November at 7am NZDT.
Ko is part of New York’s five-player roster, although the three-player line-up for that match has not yet been confirmed.
The opening result may not have gone New York’s way, but Ko has already been part of a small piece of golf history — helping women’s TGL take its first competitive steps.
