The Chevron Championship stands out as the opening women’s major of the 2026 season, and its unique blend of history, tradition, and high‑stakes competition makes it a must‑watch event for golf fans worldwide. Below is an in‑depth look at what makes this tournament special, how players earn their spots, where the action will unfold, and which contenders are poised to make a splash. ### A Brief History and the Rise to Major Status Although the Chevron Championship is the third‑oldest women’s major after the U.S.
Women’s Open and the Women’s PGA Championship, it only received official major designation in 1983. The tournament began in 1972 thanks to the enthusiasm of Dinah Shore, a celebrated singer‑actress who loved golf and helped launch the event at Mission Hill Country Club in California. Over the decades the competition has evolved from a modest 54‑hole affair into a marquee four‑day showdown with one of the sport’s richest prize pools.
### The 2026 Edition: Venue and Layout The 2026 tournament marks the 56th running of the Chevron Championship and will be contested by 132 of the world’s top women golfers. This year the event moves to Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas – a classic par‑72 layout that regularly hosts the PGA Tour’s Houston Open. The course is known for its generous fairways, strategic bunkering, and a challenging finishing stretch that tests both distance and precision.
To honor the tournament’s most famous tradition – the champion’s plunge into water – organizers are installing a temporary pool beside the 18th‑green pond, ensuring the winner will have a splash‑worthy celebration. ### How Players Qualify Entry to the Chevron Championship is highly selective. Unlike the AIG Women’s Open, which opens its doors to any amateur with a handicap of 0.4 or better, the Chevron invites only the elite: * **Past champions** and former major winners receive automatic exemptions.
* The **top‑10 finishers** from the previous year’s Chevron automatically qualify. * Leading players from other tours – the top two from the Ladies European Tour, the LPGA of Japan, and the LPGA of Korea – are invited if they are not already exempt. * **World‑ranking spots** are allocated to the highest‑ranked players who meet the criteria. * **Eight top amateurs** are invited, giving rising stars a chance to compete alongside seasoned pros.
These stringent standards ensure that the field is packed with world‑class talent, making the competition fierce from the first tee. ### Players to Watch The defending champion, **Mao Saigo**, will be looking to repeat after clinching a dramatic playoff victory in 2025.
Her composure under pressure makes her a serious contender. From the United Kingdom, **Charley Hull** is eager to secure her first major after missing the cut last year, while 22‑year‑old **Lottie Woad** has surged up the rankings and will be targeting a breakthrough performance in Houston. Australia’s **Hannah Green** arrives in hot form, having captured four titles in her last five starts – the HSBC Women’s World Championship, the Women’s Australian Open, the Australian WPGA Championship, and the JM Eagle LA Championship. Green’s recent dominance positions her as a favorite.
South Korea’s **Hyo‑Joo Kim** is another in‑form competitor, riding back‑to‑back wins at the Fortinet Founders Cup and the Ford Championship. Former Chevron champion **Nelly Korda** is enjoying a strong start to the season, with a win at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions and three runner‑up finishes.
Korda’s confidence and recent results suggest she could add another major to her résumé. Legends also add depth to the narrative. **Annika Sörenstam**, a three‑time Chevron winner, remains a celebrated figure, while **Lexi Thompson**, the 2014 champion, will be looking to rebound after a recent rules controversy that cost her a two‑stroke penalty. ### The Prize Fund and Its Significance The tournament’s purse has been boosted by $100,000 this year, reaching a total of $8 million (approximately £5.91 million).
This represents a dramatic increase from the $3.1 million purse offered in 2021 and underscores the Chevron Championship’s status as one of the most lucrative stops on the LPGA Tour. The sizable payout not only rewards the champion but also provides meaningful earnings for players throughout the leaderboard. ### Broadcast and Viewing Options Sky Sports holds exclusive rights to all five women’s majors, delivering live coverage of the Chevron Championship across four days (April 23‑26).
Early rounds will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Golf from 4 p.m., with weekend action kicking off at 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Subscribers can also access additional feeds, highlights, and on‑demand content via Sky Sports+. ### Why This Major Matters Beyond the prize money, the Chevron Championship serves as a key indicator of form heading into the rest of the season, including the Solheim Cup later in the year. Players who finish high on the leaderboard not only boost their confidence but also improve their chances of earning a captain’s pick for either the European or United States teams. Team Europe’s 2026 Solheim Cup captain, **Anna Nordqvist**, will be watching closely, as strong performances could influence her final selections.
### Tradition Meets Innovation The most iconic moment in Chevron history is the champion’s leap into the water beside the 18th green – a tradition started by three‑time winner Amy Alcott in 1988. This year’s temporary pool ensures the ritual continues, blending the tournament’s storied past with modern staging. ### Final Thoughts The 2026 Chevron Championship promises a compelling mix of history, elite competition, and high drama. With a world‑class field, a challenging Houston venue, and a record‑breaking purse, the tournament is set to deliver memorable moments for players and fans alike.
Tune in to Sky Sports for comprehensive coverage, and watch as the next major champion emerges from the splash‑filled 18th green.