LPGA Tour golf tournament returns to Manatee County with a new name. Here’s what to know
The LPGA Tour is set to return to Bradenton next month with a new name.
After the tournament debuted at Bradenton Country Club last January, the event secured a title sponsor for the 2025 edition. The Founders Cup presented by U.S. Virgin Islands is scheduled for Feb. 6-9, and it marks the first full-field tournament of the LPGA Tour season.
“The U.S. Virgin Islands is excited to be partnering with the LPGA and continuing to strengthen our connectivity to the golf community,” said U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte in a news release.
Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown said the LPGA Tour’s return spotlights what a great course Bradenton Country Club is, what the board and membership have done to enhance the club and that the community can support the event.
“It really just shows Bradenton can do things,” Brown said. “And they showed the islands, they showed Lakewood Ranch (last year), which is Manatee County. We’re proud of, and I’m the city of Bradenton, but I’m also proud of our county (doing) as much as we can do to bring people and being placemakers for things.”
Bradenton native Nelly Korda won last year’s tournament at Bradenton Country Club. She defeated Lydia Ko in a two-hole playoff. Last year was the first LPGA Tour event for Bradenton Country Club, 4646 Ninth Ave. W., Bradenton. It was called the LPGA Drive On Championship in 2024.
Korda, the world’s No. 1 player, is slated to defend her title alongside Ko and former major champions Celine Boutier, Allisen Corpuz, Ayaka Furue, Hannah Green, Brooke Henderson, Danielle Kang and Yuka Saso.
Korda followed her Bradenton triumph with six more victories in 2024, including a stretch of four consecutive wins, as she claimed the Rolex Player of the Year award.
Tickets are available for purchase. Daily tickets start at $39 for general admission, with weekly passes starting at $129. To purchase tickets, visit SeatGeek.com.
Ages 17 and younger receive complimentary admission with the purchase of an adult ticket.
