LPGA Announces Inaugural $4 Million Nanea Cup for March 2027

The LPGA will introduce the Nanea Cup next March at Nanea Golf Club in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, mixing 95 tour professionals with 25 collegians from five universities for a $4 million purse. All competitors will play the first two rounds before the field is trimmed to the low 50 players and ties, with college participants who miss the cut continuing into Saturday to settle team titles.

Nanea Golf Club opened in 2003 as a links-style layout by David McLay Kidd set among native grasses and volcanic rock. It has previously hosted the annual Nanea Invitational run by Stanford women's golf coach Anne Walker and will stage its first professional event with the new tournament.

LPGA commissioner Craig Kessler said the event aligns with the tour's priorities on routing, courses and purses.

The Golf Channel plans to air features on the college athletes and coaches. Golf Channel executive vice president and general manager Tom Knapp said the network's experience with college golfers and coaches will support the LPGA in developing the event.