If The LPGA Had Signature Events, Mizuho Would Be One

Signature events, previously called designated events, on the PGA TOUR have felt like mini majors at times. The elite player fields, increased prize money, and of course, the venues that host these events—are all elevated compared to regular weeks on the schedule. They're little doses and reminders that golf's expansion boils over from the major weeks and people are paying attention—the Mizuho Americas Open is that for the LPGA Tour.

It's a magical week across the Hudson River in Jersey City, New Jersey, with the iconic Liberty National Golf Club setting the stage for 120 pros plus an elite amateur field of the AJGA's top-24 ranked players. A one-of-a-kind venue, unique format, and a legendary tournament host has put Mizuho on the radar just three year's into its existence—here's why.

The Best View in Golf

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Liberty National was once a a clean-up project. The now luxurious golf club had several dark, and well, dirty past lives. It was used as uses as an oil refinery, storage facility, and during the First World War, the location housed ammunition. During the Second World War, part of land was used as a prisoner of war camp.

But Tom Kite and Bob Cupp, engineers and designers of the course, saw an aerial shot of the grounds, they had a vision for a golf course that would sit across from the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and Lower Manhattan.

While the island of Manhattan may be seen as a golf desert, the surrounding areas are actually golf destinations, with Liberty National being one of them. It's been a premier attraction site for professional golf. Hosting a total of nine PGA Tour events, including the 2017 President's Cup.

Now, for the third year, the LPGA will take center stage adjacent to the city that never sleeps.

Michelle Wie West is the Perfect Host

What Tiger is to The Genesis, former LPGA star Michelle Wie West is to Mizuho.

As the host, Wie West has helped forge this mentorship between the pros and the amateurs playing in the event.

Wie West was barely a teen when the golf world was introduced to her. She knows first-hand what it's like to experience the big stage at an early age, and wants this event to be a leading force in connecting the current generation of LPGA players with the next ones up.

Giving Pro-Am a Whole New Meaning

Mizuho's separating element is by far its unique format that offers an opportunity for top-ranked AJGA junior golfers to compete side-by-side with the best LPGA players in the world.

While the pros will play in normal stroke play tournament format, the amateurs use a modified stableford format where points will be awarded based on a score for each hole.

There's a winner for each division. Previous LPGA winners are none other than Rose Zhang (2023) and Nelly Korda (2024). It was also Zhang's first ever LPGA win, making her the first player in 51 years to win her professional debut.

Previous amateur winners include Yana Wilson (2023), who is returning to the field this week, and 17-year-old Gianna Clemente, who was the low amateur for the 2025 Chevron Championship.

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How To Watch/TV and Streaming

Thursday and Friday

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT / Stream on the NBC Sports App

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT/ Golf Channel

Saturday

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM EDT/ Stream on the NBC Sports App

5:00 PM - 7:30 PM EDT/ Golf Channel

Sunday

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT/ Stream on the NBC Sports App

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT/ Live on CBS