Milligan to represent U.S. in Arnold Palmer Cup
NORMAN — Kaitlin Milligan accepted an invitation to represent the United States in the 2020 Arnold Palmer Cup, it was announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America on Wednesday night. The junior will become the third Sooner to compete in the event, but the first on the women’s side.
The prestigious tournament will be played on July 3-5 at Lahinch Golf Club in Ireland, and will feature the best amateur golfers in the world, pitting Team USA against an International squad in a Ryder Cup-style event.
“To be able to play in the Arnold Palmer Cup is the opportunity of a lifetime.” Milligan said. “To represent the United States in an event this big is a dream come true. I’m so honored to be selected as part of the team and am excited to compete at this level. I’m also excited to build relationships with teammates and other players in this setting that will last throughout our careers.”
Milligan is Sooner born and raised, growing up in Norman. She played prep golf at Norman North, winning the 2017 6A state title. At OU, Milligan has closed down on nearly every school record. As a freshman, she shot a 62 (-10) in the opening round of the Westbrook Invitational to set the OU and Big 12 record for the all-time low score. In her next season in Norman she produced a stroke average of 72.50, the fourth-lowest in OU history en route to an All-Big 12 selection and victory at the NCAA Norman Regional in the spring. Now, as a junior she has received an invitation to play in the 2020 Augusta National Women’s Amateur this upcoming spring.
“It’s such a great honor for Kaitlin to go represent the United States in an event like the Arnold Palmer Cup.” Sooners’ coach Veronique Drouin-Luttrell said. “We’re so excited for her and the opportunity she’ll have this summer. She will represent Sooner Nation well in Ireland.”
For the Norman, Oklahoma, native the Palmer Cup will serve as a bridge to her senior season and Lahinch will provide a challenging test for Milligan. Lahinch Golf Club was founded in 1892 and is consistently ranked in the Top 50 golf courses in world golf. Originally laid out by Old Tom Morris, the services of Dr. Alister MacKenzie were retained in 1926 to redesign the course, following which he declared “Lahinch will make the finest and most popular golf course that I, or I believe anyone else, ever constructed.”
Brad Dalke (2018) and Quade Cummins (2019) have represented the Sooners in the men’s Palmer Cup, and men’s head coach Ryan Hybl led the 2018 Team USA squad as the coach after playing in the event in 2002, making MIlligan’s opportunity even more unique.
“I’m thankful for the selection committee for selecting me and giving me the opportunity to play on the team. I’m thankful for my coaches, family and teammates for pushing me every day and always believing in me.”
Milligan has finished in the top 20 at 15 of her last 18 career events as s Sooner and will look to continue her hot streak at the Clover Cup on March 13-15, when Oklahoma gets back in action.