A Major Boost for Women’s Golf
The LPGA Tour is heading back to Corning, New York, for the first time since 2009. This return marks a huge shift in the financial landscape for women’s professional golf. The new event, called The Classic, will take place at Corning Country Club from May 27 to May 30, 2027. The tournament will feature a $5 million purse. That number is more than triple the $1.5 million prize pool from the last run of the event. This jump in funding signals a serious commitment to growing the sport’s top tier.
Local leaders and tour officials gathered to announce the news. Lewis Steverson, Corning Inc. Vice Chairman, called the moment a key milestone. “Today marks an exciting milestone as we welcome some of the LPGA’s top players back to Corning in celebration of The Classic,” Steverson said. The event aims to reflect the “excellence, innovation, and spirit that have long defined Corning,” he added in a second statement. The revival serves as a clear declaration of intent for the tour’s future trajectory.
Stars Welcome the Return
Top players and broadcasters are already hyping the comeback. Morgan Pressel, a two-time LPGA champion and current NBC broadcaster, hosted the launch panel. She joined past winners Paula Creamer, Charley Hull, and Patty Tavatanakit. These players know the pressure of big stages. Hull and Tavatanakit were introduced to the local crowd for the first time, building early buzz for the 2027 dates. Per Yahoo Sports, the tour is also seeing a surge in competitive depth with stars like Nelly Korda leading the rankings. The presence of such talent at the launch shows how much players want this event back.
LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler praised the local support. “It’s been one of the most excited and talked about tournament announcements that I can remember in my career,” Kessler said. He noted that the community has been eager to see the tour return. The excitement from Corning residents has been “impossible to miss,” Kessler told the room. This grassroots energy is often what turns a good tournament into a great one. The tour needs that kind of local pride to thrive.
Why the Purse Size Matters
The $5 million prize fund changes the math for every player on the roster. A larger purse means more money for the winner, but it also lifts the checks for those who miss the cut or finish lower. This financial safety net allows players to focus on their game rather than their bank account. Steverson noted that the crowds, volunteers, and community members will return to support the event just as they did before. “People have been talking about its return a lot,” Steverson said. He hinted at new features for the event, though details remain under wraps for now.
Corning has a “proud place in LPGA history,” Kessler said during the event. The original tournament ran for 31 years under Corning Inc. sponsorship. That long history gives this new chapter a solid foundation. The tour is writing a new story with this revival, and the financial backing proves it is here to stay. With the 2027 dates locked in, the countdown has officially begun. Fans and players alike are ready to see the action return to the Finger Lakes.
