The Chevron Championship stands out as the opening major of the 2026 women’s golf season, and this guide will walk you through everything you need to know before the action begins on Sky Sports. Although it is the third-oldest of the five women’s majors—trailing only the U.S. Women’s Open and the Women’s PGA Championship—it did not receive major status until 1983. This year marks the 56th edition of the tournament, and 132 elite players will vie for the Dinah Shore Trophy, a tribute to the beloved singer‑actress who helped launch the event in 1972.
Originally a 54‑hole competition, the championship has expanded over the decades into a marquee fixture on the LPGA calendar, now offering one of the sport’s largest prize pools. Location shifts have been a hallmark of the event.
After debuting at Mission Hills Country Club in California, the tournament moved in 2023 to the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at The Club at Carlton Woods in Texas. For 2026, the venue changes once more, this time to Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, a par‑72 layout that regularly hosts the PGA Tour’s Houston Open. One of the most beloved traditions was introduced by three‑time champion Amy Alcott in 1988, when she leapt into the lake beside the 18th green at Mission Hills to celebrate her victory.
Since then, every winner has taken a celebratory plunge into a water feature near the final green. This year, course officials are going the extra mile by constructing a temporary pool next to the 18th‑hole green at Memorial Park, ensuring the tradition continues in full splashy glory.
Qualification for The Chevron Championship is far more exclusive than for the AIG Women’s Open, where any amateur with a 0.4 handicap or lower can earn a spot. Here, only the most accomplished players receive invitations. Past champions, former major winners, and LPGA tournament victors are automatically exempt, as are the top ten finishers from the previous year’s championship. In addition, the top two players from the Ladies European Tour, the LPGA of Japan, and the LPGA of Korea—provided they are not already exempt—are invited, along with eight of the world’s leading amateurs.
Defending champion Mao Saigo will be looking to repeat her triumph after winning a dramatic playoff in 2025. British hopefuls such as Charley Hull, who missed the cut last year, will be eager to improve their standing, while rising star Lottie Woad, only 22, hopes to claim her first major title. Australian Hannah Green arrives in Houston as a clear favorite.
She has captured four of her last five starts in 2026, including victories at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, the Women’s Australian Open, the Australian WPGA Championship, and the JM Eagle LA Championship. South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim is also in fine form, having won back‑to‑back events at the Fortinet Founders Cup and the Ford Championship in March. Former 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 in her four starts this year.
Korda reflected on the mental journey of competing at the highest level, noting that experiencing both triumph and disappointment helps shape a player into the athlete they aspire to become. Legendary Swede Annika Sörenstam, a three‑time Chevron champion, remains one of the most celebrated past winners, sharing the record for most victories with Alcott and Betsy King. Lexi Thompson, another former champion (2014), will also be in the mix; she famously incurred a two‑stroke penalty for a rules infraction in 2017 but still finished tied for second.
The purse for 2026 has been boosted by $100,000, bringing the total to an impressive $8 million—more than double the $3.1 million offered in 2021. This makes the event one of the most lucrative on the LPGA Tour, with a substantial share allocated to the top finishers. Team Europe’s Solheim Cup captain Anna Nordqvist will be watching closely, hoping to secure a fourth major while also scouting European talent for the upcoming September Solheim Cup.
Strong performances here could improve a player’s chances of earning a captain’s pick or qualifying automatically for either the European or U.S. teams. Sky Sports will broadcast every round of the championship live.
Early coverage of the first two rounds begins at 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Golf.
The weekend action—Saturday and Sunday’s final rounds—starts at 7 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf, with additional feeds, highlights, and on‑demand content available via Sky Sports+. Fans can also stream the tournament without a contract through NOW, and the Sky Sports Golf Podcast offers deeper analysis and interviews throughout the week. In summary, the 2026 Chevron Championship promises high‑stakes competition, a historic venue, and the continuation of beloved traditions.
With a deep field featuring defending champions, rising stars, and seasoned veterans, the tournament will set the tone for the rest of the women’s golf season. Tune in to Sky Sports for comprehensive live coverage and discover who will lift the Dinah Shore Trophy this year.