Rory McIlroy has defended TGL's decision to launch a women's division rather than a mixed competition after criticism from Nelly Korda.

Korda is women's golf's biggest star, but the four-time major champion will not play in WTGL when it launches next month. The 28-year-old dubbed it a "huge and unbelievable miss" for WTGL not to have men and women playing side by side.

WTGL has built a strong roster boasting numerous major champions, but Korda's absence is significant. She is undoubtedly women's golf's biggest name, but in addition to her misgivings about the format, she said she was unsure about the time commitment before her snub was confirmed.

McIlroy, who co-owns the tech-powered golf league with Tiger Woods through their TMRW Sports venture, stands by the decision to have gendered divisions.

"In my opinion, I think it's amazing to give the women their own platform," McIlroy said. "When we talked about WTGL, obviously there was talk of a mixed team.

"I mean, I think the guys are going to go and support the women, and we'll be there; we'll be at games, and we'll help to raise the profile of the overall platform.

"But I do think that it is important to give the women their own platform and encourage them to grow that themselves.

"I think from a TGL perspective and the men's, I think it's been really beneficial for guys to show a bit of their personalities and to show a different side of themselves. And, you know, hopefully that'll be the same for the women coming up here in a few weeks."

Lexi Thompson, Charley Hull, Lydia Ko, Brooke Henderson, Jeeno Thitikul and Michelle Wie West are among the players who will compete in WTGL, but Korda made her thoughts clear to Golfweek in January.

“I have mixed feelings on it if I’m being very honest, and I’m surprised no other girls have, or no one’s really spoken out about it,” she said.

“I think it’s a huge and unbelievable miss that we’re not playing alongside the men. There’s no greater way to grow the game, and it would have been revolutionary.

"It would have been the first time, I think, that men and women are on the same playing field, playing for the same exact amount of money. But I also think it’s great that we are getting this opportunity, so that’s my mixed feelings.”