LPGA Champion Michelle Wie Comes Out of Retirement for New WTGL League

The five-time LPGA Tour winner will join the team-style women's golf league launching in 2026.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Michelle Wie West, a five-time LPGA Tour winner and 2014 U.S. Women's Open champion, has announced her return to professional golf after retiring in 2023. Wie West will join the new WTGL, a team-style women's golf league set to launch next winter in partnership with the LPGA.

Why it matters

Wie West's return to golf adds star power to the new WTGL league, which aims to bring a fresh format and broader audience to women's golf. Her participation as both a player and investor in the Los Angeles Golf Club signals the league's ambition to elevate the sport.

The details

The WTGL is backed by Alex Morgan's Trybe Ventures and is the second project for TMRW Sports. Wie West will join an eight-player roster that includes top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul, Charley Hull, three-time major champion Lydia Ko, and other LPGA stars. Between them, the players have a combined 66 LPGA Tour victories and seven major championships.

  • Wie West retired from professional golf in 2023.
  • The WTGL is set to launch next winter in 2026.

The players

Michelle Wie West

A five-time LPGA Tour winner and 2014 U.S. Women's Open champion who is coming out of retirement to join the new WTGL league.

Jeeno Thitikul

The current world No. 1 ranked women's golfer who will be part of the WTGL league.

Lydia Ko

A three-time major champion who will be joining the WTGL league.

Alex Morgan

The investor behind Trybe Ventures, which is backing the new WTGL league.

TMRW Sports

The company launching the new WTGL women's golf league.

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What they’re saying

“As an investor in Los Angeles Golf Club and a fan of TGL, I'm excited for the chance to compete again through WTGL, which will be a powerful platform for women's golf. I'm passionate about growing the game, and TGL has proved how new formats through the lens of innovation and creativity can bring golf to a broader audience. The team aspect, matched with the unique environment at SoFi Center, is something I want to be part of and it's going to be incredibly fun to challenge myself, this time alongside teammates, to compete against the best in the world.”

— Michelle Wie West

What’s next

The WTGL is set to launch in the winter of 2026, with more details on the league format and player roster expected to be announced in the coming months.

The takeaway

Wie West's return to professional golf as both a player and investor in the new WTGL league signals the growing momentum and ambition behind women's golf. The unique team format and partnership with the LPGA have the potential to attract a wider audience and further elevate the sport.