Nelly Korda and her fellow golfers will arrive at Erin Hills next week, where the challenging course will test even the best players. Although not originally designed for a high-profile USGA event, Erin Hills successfully hosted the U.S. Open in 2017, marking Wisconsin’s first time hosting the championship.

This season, the course will host its fifth USGA event, the U.S. Women’s Open. Despite the difficulty, 2017 champion Brooks Koepka has a supportive message for the competitors.

“A fun course to play,” said Brooks Koepka in an exclusive with the USGA. In 2017, he won the 117th U.S. Open at Erin Hills, matching Rory McIlroy’s 72-hole scoring record of 16-under. Unlike many in the field, the Florida State alum had prior competitive experience at Erin Hills from the 2011 U.S. Amateur, where he failed to qualify for match play. His win and experience make Koepka’s words particularly significant as the U.S. Women’s Open approaches.

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During his exclusive with the USGA, Koepka shared his bit of advice to “them [the elite roster] about playing the course?” He said, “Good luck, girls. It’s a U.S. Open. You already know it’s gonna be tough, but just stay with it. Stay focused and be patient. That’s what–that’s what it takes. You guys already know that. Just enjoy. It’s a fun golf course to play. Keep attacking it, be aggressive, hit it to the correct spots, and you’ll be just fine.”

In spite of Brooks Koepka’s light-hearted message, the Erin Hills course will serve as a major headache for the U.S. Women’s Open field. Here’s why. At about 6,835 yards, Erin Hills ranks as one of the longest courses ever used for the U.S. Women’s Open, featuring a par-72 layout that requires both accuracy and strength. The course includes elevated tees and hilly terrain, which can create uneven lies and make approach shots tricky, as players often hit from higher spots to lower fairways, making it hard to judge where the ball will land. Additionally, the course has firm and fast conditions, and the winds frequently change direction, adding to the difficulty.

Lexi Thompson will compete in the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills, marking her 19th consecutive appearance, despite her announcement last year about stepping away from full-time golf. She will join Amy Yang, who also has 19 appearances, making them the most experienced players in the 156-player field. Other notable golfers include Anna Nordqvist with 17 appearances, Jenny Shin with 15, and four players—Carlota Ciganda, Moriya Jutanugarn, Lydia Ko, and Leta Lindley—who have each made 14 appearances. However, the LPGA circuit is also playing its part by providing services to its golfers for the U.S. Open.

LPGA charter will come to the rescue for the Mexico Riviera Maya Open field

The LPGA is organizing charter flights for participants in the 2025 Mexico Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba, marking the league’s first tournament in Mexico in eight years. This event is particularly important as it occurs just before the U.S. Women’s Open, with 35 golfers needing to travel approximately 1,642 miles to Erin Hills.

To facilitate this travel, the LPGA has arranged a charter plane for the golfers. The flight will last around 6 hours and 30 minutes and is set to depart from Cancun after the final round. About 80 passengers, including the golfers and their guests, will be on the flight. While each golfer will cover their own transportation costs, the charter service provides a convenient solution, especially since no direct flights are available from Cancun to Milwaukee.

This practice of providing charter flights is not uncommon for the LPGA; similar arrangements occurred for players traveling to the Chevron Championship from the Black Desert Championship in Utah, and the league frequently uses charter flights for tournaments in Asia. No doubt, everyone is hyped for the second women’s major!