LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) is bringing one of its international tournaments to Louisville.
LPGA Commissioner Mollie Macoux Samaan announced Monday the Solheim Cup is coming to Valhalla Golf Club in 2028.
“Competing in the Solheim Cup is an experience like no other,” Samaan said at a news conference, adding that she believes the community will be in awe at the talent coming for the tournament.
The Solheim Cup is a biennial match play tournament between players representing the United States and Europe. The event was first held in 1990 and is similar to the Ryder Cup. More than 100,000 people are expected to come for the tournament, and officials expect the financial impact to be around $60 million.
Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jaqueline Coleman said this is the first time in 50 years an LPGA Tour event has been in Kentucky. It's first time the Solheim Cup will be played in Kentucky.
"We've long been known for bourbon and horse racing and basketball," Coleman said. "I think it's safe to say that we are hanging our hat in the world of golf as well, so let's keep this momentum going."
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said Samaan and her husband visited the city for the 150th Kentucky Derby and saw how the community shows up for major sporting events. Samaan said it was one of the reasons the LPGA chose Valhalla.
"We wanna play in front of huge crows with a proven track record of showing up like no other, and where local businesses see the enormous value of partnering with the oldest stand-alone women's sports organization," Samaan said.
The U.S. leads the all-time series 10-8. However, Europe has won the last three competitions.
Each team features 12 golfers. Most qualify throughout the season, while some are chosen as captain's picks.
The most recent Solheim Cup held on U.S. soil was in 2021 at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio.
Valhalla Golf Club recently hosted the 2024 PGA Championship in May.
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