Notorious Black Course to Host KPMG Women's PGA Championship

PGA of America Chooses 2028 Battleground
First Women's Tournament at Black Course After Hosting Ryder Cup This Year
PGA Championship Also Set for Black Course in 2033

The 2028 KPMG Women's PGA Championship, a major tournament on the LPGA Tour, will be held for the first time at the Black Course.

The PGA of America announced on September 17 (local time) that the tournament will take place at the Black Course of Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York, a course notorious for its high level of difficulty. This will be the first time a women's professional golf tournament is held at the Black Course. This year, from September 26 for three days, a golf competition between Europe and the United States will also be held at the Black Course.

The 2028 LPGA Tour major tournament, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, will be held at the Black Course of Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

The Black Course is infamous for its extreme difficulty, even among PGA Tour players. During the 2002 US Open held here, Tiger Woods was the only player to finish with an under-par score. In the 2009 US Open, where Lucas Glover became the champion, the winning score was four-under-par. As a public course, it features a warning sign that reads, "Only highly skilled golfers should play this course due to its extreme difficulty."

LPGA Tour major tournaments are increasingly being held at more challenging courses. In particular, since 2010, it has become more common for LPGA Tour majors to be played at courses that previously hosted only men's major championships. The US Women's Open has been held at renowned men's major venues such as Erin Hills, Pebble Beach, Olympic Club, Pinehurst, and Oakmont, including this year at Erin Hills. The PGA of America has also decided to host the 2033 PGA Championship at the Black Course.