The Chevron Championship 2026 made history before a single shot was struck. For the first time in the tournament’s 54-year history, the LPGA’s opening major moved to Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas, marking a new era for one of women’s golf’s most storied events.
Nelly Korda captured her third major title and 17th career LPGA win at Memorial Park Golf Course, dominating the field with a five-shot victory over Patty Tavatanakit and Ruoning Yin.
A new venue, a record $9 million purse, and a dominant wire-to-wire performance made this one of the most talked-about weeks in women’s golf in years. Here is the complete guide to The Chevron Championship 2026.
What Is The Chevron Championship?
The Chevron Championship is the first of five major championships on the LPGA Tour schedule each year. Winning here is the biggest statement any player can make in the opening weeks of the season.
The tournament was founded in 1972 by singer and actress Dinah Shore and Colgate-Palmolive chairman David Foster. It became an official LPGA major in 1983 and was held at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, from its inception through 2022.
Players compete over 72 holes of stroke play. The lowest score after four rounds wins the Dinah Shore Trophy. In 1988, Amy Alcott started the tradition of the champion celebrating at the 18th hole, a moment that has become one of the most recognizable in all of women’s golf and has been carried to every host venue since.
Key Facts About The Chevron Championship 2026
- First major championship of the 2026 LPGA Tour season
- Dates: April 23-26, 2026
- Venue: Memorial Park Golf Course, Houston, Texas
- First-ever Chevron Championship at Memorial Park
- Format: 72-hole stroke play
- Field size: 132 players, 72 after cut
- Cut: Top 50 and ties after 36 holes
- Total purse: $9 million
- Winner’s share: $1,350,000
- Winner earns 650 Race to the CME Globe points
- Winner receives a five-year LPGA Tour exemption
- TV broadcast: Golf Channel (Rounds 1-2), NBC (Rounds 3-4)
- Streaming: Peacock and ESPN+
- Field included 48 of the top 50 players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings
- Trophy: The Dinah Shore Trophy, valued at over $25,000
- 2026 champion: Nelly Korda (-18, five-shot victory)
History of The Chevron Championship
The Chevron Championship has been shaping careers in women’s golf for over five decades. When it launched in 1972, the prize fund was more than double that of the LPGA Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open combined. It was built to be the biggest event in the sport, and it still is.
The tournament carried Dinah Shore’s name for nearly 30 years before moving through several sponsors. Chevron took over in 2022, brought the event to Texas in 2023, and has grown the purse significantly every year since. The 2026 move to Memorial Park was made to bring the tournament closer to Chevron’s headquarters and to downtown Houston.
Notable Milestones Include
- 1972: The tournament launches as the richest event in women’s golf
- 1983: Officially recognized as an LPGA major championship
- 1988: Amy Alcott starts the champion celebration tradition at the 18th hole
- 2022: Chevron takes over; purse jumps from $3.1 million to $5 million
- 2023: Tournament moves to Texas; Lilia Vu wins the first Houston edition
- 2024: Nelly Korda becomes the first million-dollar champion in tournament history as the purse hits $7.9 million
- 2025: Mao Saigo wins in the largest playoff in LPGA major championship history, a five-way sudden-death finish
- 2026: The championship debuts at Memorial Park. The purse rises to a record $9 million. Nelly Korda wins wire-to-wire.
What Makes The Chevron Championship Unique?
There is no other tournament quite like this one on the women’s golf calendar. A few things set it completely apart.
- It opens the major season: Every player shows up hungry. A win here means more than points and prize money. It means a major title.
- The Dinah Shore Trophy: The trophy took six months to create and cost more than $25,000 to produce. It is one of the most iconic prizes in the sport.
- The champion celebration: The winner celebrates at the 18th hole immediately after winning. No other trophy moment in women’s golf comes close.
- Small, elite field: Just 132 players. Almost no room for an off week.
- Major points bonus: LPGA majors carry 30% more Race to CME Globe points than regular events. The winner earns 650 points versus the standard 500.
- A public course for the first time: Memorial Park is open to the public year-round. Moving a major here made it more accessible than ever for Houston fans.
When and Where Did the 2026 Chevron Championship Take Place?
The 2026 Chevron Championship was held April 23-26 at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas. The course sits just west of downtown Houston, making it one of the most accessible major venues in recent memory.
This was the first of five majors on the 2026 LPGA Tour schedule, which spans 33 tournaments across 13 countries.
Course Details: Memorial Park Golf Course
Memorial Park is not your typical major venue. It is a public municipal course that has been completely transformed into a world-class layout. The course dates back to 1912, when it was built at a hospital near Camp Logan for recovering soldiers. John Bredemus redesigned it in 1935 and added a second nine.
Tom Doak redesigned Memorial Park, and it returned to hosting the Houston Open in 2020, first in the fall portion of the PGA Tour and then moving to the spring in 2024. The course now averages 60,000 rounds per year.
Course Layout and Conditions
Memorial Park rewards players who think clearly and strike the ball precisely.
Here is what made this course a serious major championship test in 2026:
- Architect: Tom Doak renovation, original design by John Bredemus (1935)
- Type: Public municipal course, tour-level conditioning
- Style: Parkland layout with tree-lined corridors
- Par 72, 6,811 yards
- Signature Tom Doak undulating green complexes throughout
- Water hazards in play on multiple holes
- Strategic bunkering protecting landing zones and approach angles
- Location: Just west of downtown Houston, highly accessible for fans
- Averages 60,000 rounds per year, one of the busiest public courses in Texas
The public course setting meant Memorial Park was naturally built for spectators. Open sightlines and natural movement corridors across the property gave fans excellent views from almost anywhere on the grounds.
The Chevron Championship Tournament Format
The Chevron Championship is a 72-hole stroke play event. Every shot on every hole across all four rounds counts toward a player’s total. The lowest score at the end of Sunday wins the Dinah Shore Trophy.
Tournament Format Breakdown
| Detail | Information |
| Format | Stroke play |
| Total Rounds | 4 |
| Total Holes | 72 |
| Field Size | 132 players |
| Cut Rule | Top 50 and ties after 36 holes |
| Winner | Lowest cumulative 72-hole score |
| Playoff Format | Sudden-death if tied after 72 holes |
| Official Status | LPGA Tour major championship |
Round Format Breakdown
Round 1 (Thursday): The season’s first major gets underway. Players hunt a fast start at a venue making its major championship debut.
Round 2 (Friday): Cut day. Players outside the top 50 and ties after 36 holes do not play the weekend. Friday afternoon gets tense.
Round 3 (Saturday): Moving day. The leaderboard shifts significantly and players make their case for Sunday contention.
Round 4 (Sunday): The championship is decided. The winner lifts the Dinah Shore Trophy and celebrates at the 18th hole.
The Chevron Championship Rules
The Chevron Championship follows the official Rules of Golf set by the USGA and R&A, alongside LPGA Tour major championship regulations. Here is what you need to know:
- The event is played over 72 holes of stroke play across four rounds
- Every shot counts toward the player’s total score
- All players must follow official Rules of Golf and LPGA Tour regulations
- The cut falls after 36 holes to the top 50 and ties
- Players must use equipment meeting LPGA Tour standards
- Pace-of-play rules apply throughout all four rounds
- Electronic scoring runs alongside official scorecard verification
- Tournament officials have final authority on all competition decisions
For Ties and Playoffs
If two or more players finish tied after 72 holes, the championship goes to sudden-death. Players compete hole by hole until someone posts a lower score. In 2025, Mao Saigo won in the largest playoff in LPGA major history, a five-way battle that needed multiple holes to separate the field.
For Weather Delays
Houston weather can be unpredictable in late April. Here is how delays are handled:
- Play stops immediately for lightning, heavy rain, or unsafe conditions
- Officials resume play the same day when conditions clear
- If conditions do not improve, rounds carry over to the following morning
- Tee times and groupings are adjusted as needed to keep the event on schedule
- All suspension and scheduling decisions are made by LPGA Tour officials on site
The Chevron Championship Schedule and Tee Times 2026
The tournament week included practice rounds and pro-am activity before the four competition rounds ran Thursday through Sunday at Memorial Park Golf Course.
Full Schedule of Events
Thursday, April 23: Round 1
| Event | Time (CT) |
| Gates Open | 7:00 AM |
| Championship Round 1 | All day |
| First Tee Alumni Meetup | Private Event |
| Golf Channel Live Coverage | Afternoon |
Friday, April 24: Round 2 (Cut Day)
| Event | Time (CT) |
| Gates Open | 7:00 AM |
| Championship Round 2 | All day |
| Collegiate Career Day presented by Sodexo | Private Event |
| Latina Women’s Golf Clinic | Private Event |
| Cut Announced | After final groups finish |
| Golf Channel Live Coverage | Afternoon |
Saturday, April 25: Round 3
| Event | Time (CT) |
| Gates Open | 6:45 AM |
| Championship Round 3 | All day |
| High School Career Day presented by Sodexo | Private Event |
| Volunteer Appreciation Party | Private Event |
| NBC / Peacock Live Coverage | Afternoon |
Sunday, April 26: Final Round
| Event | Time (CT) |
| Gates Open | 6:45 AM |
| Championship Final Round | All day |
| Girls Golf Clinic | Private Event |
| Trophy Ceremony | After play concludes |
Tee Times Format
- Rounds 1 and 2: Players went off in threesomes from both the 1st and 10th holes simultaneously
- Rounds 3 and 4: After the cut, players moved to twosomes from a single tee. Leaders teed off last on Saturday and Sunday
- Final Round: Sunday leaders went off in the afternoon, building toward the championship finish
Where to Find the Latest Tee Times
- Official Chevron Championship site
- LPGA Tour website
- Golf Channel app and live broadcast coverage
- LPGA Tour mobile app and live leaderboard platforms
How Players Qualify for The Chevron Championship
The Chevron Championship does not have open qualifying. The field is selected through a structured invitation system that ensures almost every player competing has earned their place through genuine achievement.
Qualification Criteria
Players earn entry through several routes:
- Top players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings
- Past Chevron Championship champions
- Winners of LPGA Tour events within the qualifying window
- Top finishers at the previous year’s Chevron Championship
- Winners of other major championships within the qualifying period
- Exempt LPGA Tour members meeting ranking thresholds
- Special exemptions for top amateur champions
The 2026 field of 132 players included 48 of the top 50 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. That kind of depth is rare in any sport, let alone a single golf event.
Overview of The 2026 Player Field
The 2026 field at Memorial Park was headlined by Hyo Joo Kim, Hannah Green, Miyu Yamashita, Minjee Lee, Nelly Korda, and Jeeno Thitikul, among many others.
Established Stars and Major Champions
- Nelly Korda: 2024 Chevron champion and the eventual 2026 winner. Won wire-to-wire, never trailing from Thursday through Sunday at Memorial Park.
- Mao Saigo: Defending champion. Won the 2025 five-way playoff at Carlton Woods.
- Hyo Joo Kim (World No. 3): One of the most consistent performers at major level, finished sixth at -7.
- Minjee Lee (World No. 5): A proven performer who has delivered strong results at this championship before.
- Miyu Yamashita (World No. 6): The 2025 AIG Women’s Open champion.
- Hannah Green (World No. 8): Finished tied seventh at -6.
- Brooke Henderson: Former World No. 1 and one of the most experienced major championship competitors in the field.
Contenders and Rising Names
- Patty Tavatanakit: Finished tied second at 13-under, delivering one of the performances of her career at Memorial Park.
- Ruoning Yin (World No. 11): Shared the runner-up spot at 13-under, proving again her ability to compete at major level.
- Lauren Coughlin: Arrived in strong form off a recent LPGA win. Always dangerous heading into a major on a winning run.
Defending Champion and Past Winners
Nelly Korda won The Chevron Championship wire-to-wire at Memorial Park. She hit 5-iron to 5 feet for birdie on her 16th hole of the opening round Thursday to take the lead and never trailed again. She closed with a 2-under 70 in the final round for a five-shot victory.
The win was her third major title, her 17th on the LPGA, and her 21st worldwide, and it was enough for her to move back to No. 1 in the women’s world ranking for the first time since August.
| Year | Champion | Venue | Winner’s Share |
| 2026 | Nelly Korda | Memorial Park Golf Course | $1,350,000 |
| 2025 | Mao Saigo | The Club at Carlton Woods | $1,200,000 |
| 2024 | Nelly Korda | The Club at Carlton Woods | $1,200,000 |
| 2023 | Lilia Vu | The Club at Carlton Woods | $765,000 |
| 2022 | Jennifer Kupcho | Mission Hills CC | $750,000 |
Three players hold the all-time record with three wins each: Amy Alcott, Betsy King, and Annika Sorenstam. With her 2026 win, Nelly Korda now has two Chevron Championships to her name.
Prize Money for The Chevron Championship 2026
Officials with the LPGA and the Chevron Championship announced earlier in the week that the prize money payout was increasing to $9 million, a bump of $1 million from 2025 and an increase of $5.9 million since Chevron started sponsoring the major in 2022. The winner Nelly Korda earned $1,350,000.
Total Purse and Winner’s Share
| Year | Total Purse | Winner’s Share | Key Change |
| 2021 | $3,100,000 | N/A | Pre-Chevron sponsorship |
| 2022 | $5,000,000 | $750,000 | Chevron takes over, major purse jump |
| 2023 | $5,100,000 | $765,000 | First Texas edition |
| 2024 | $7,900,000 | $1,200,000 | Largest single-year increase in history |
| 2025 | $8,000,000 | $1,200,000 | Maintained at record level |
| 2026 | $9,000,000 | $1,350,000 | Record purse at Memorial Park debut |
When Chevron took over in 2022, the purse jumped from $3.1 million to $5 million in a single year. The 2024 jump to $7.9 million was the biggest one-year increase in tournament history. The 2026 raise to $9 million pushed the event to new financial heights.
2026 Prize Money Payout
| Position | 2026 Payout |
| 1st (Winner) | $1,350,000 (confirmed) |
| T2 | $669,859 |
| T4 | $393,221 |
| 6th | $286,945 |
| T7 | $213,262 |
| 10th | $165,789 |
| Missed Cut | No prize money |
All positions below first are estimates based on standard LPGA major championship distribution applied to the $9 million purse. Official payouts were confirmed after the final round.
Points, Exemptions, and Competitive Rewards
Winning The Chevron Championship delivered far more than just the check. The full package for the 2026 champion includes:
- $1,350,000 in prize money
- 650 Race to the CME Globe points (30% more than a regular LPGA Tour win)
- A five-year LPGA Tour exemption
- Invitations to all remaining major championships of the year
- Entry into the CME Group Tour Championship
- A lifetime invitation back to The Chevron Championship
Additional Long-Term Impacts
- Return to World No. 1: Korda’s victory moved her back to the top of the women’s world ranking for the first time since August.
- Career milestone: The win was her third major title and 17th LPGA victory, cementing her status as the defining player of her generation.
- Season momentum: Winning the first major of the year gave Korda a platform of confidence heading into the rest of the 2026 major season.
- Historic significance: Winning at Memorial Park in the debut year at a new venue adds extra meaning that will follow Korda throughout her career.
How to Watch and Attend The Chevron Championship 2026
Fans followed The Chevron Championship 2026 either by attending in person at Memorial Park or by watching through official television and streaming coverage.
All four rounds aired on television. Thursday and Friday were on Golf Channel, and NBC carried the weekend rounds.
Broadcast Schedule and Coverage Details
| Day | Round | TV Coverage | Notes |
| Thursday, April 23 | Round 1 | Golf Channel | Afternoon |
| Friday, April 24 | Round 2 | Golf Channel | Afternoon, cut announced after play |
| Saturday, April 25 | Round 3 | NBC / Peacock | Afternoon |
| Sunday, April 26 | Final Round | NBC / Peacock | Afternoon |
Streaming Options
- Peacock: Streamed Golf Channel and NBC coverage plus exclusive early-round content
- ESPN+: Featured group streams from early morning on all four rounds
- Hulu + Live TV: Carries Golf Channel and NBC with full live streaming
- YouTube TV: Includes Golf Channel and NBC access
- Fubo TV: Available with Golf Channel and NBC in the package
- Golf Channel app: Requires cable or streaming TV authentication
- SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio, channel 92: Radio coverage across all four competition rounds
Ticket Information and On-Site Access
Tickets were available at the official chevron championship website. Memorial Park’s public course setting made this one of the most fan-friendly major venues in years.
| Ticket Type | Access |
| Single-Day Grounds Pass | One competition round, full course access |
| Multi-Day Grounds Pass | Multiple rounds, full course access |
| Pro-Am Ticket | Wednesday Pro-Am access |
| Premium Hospitality | Upgraded access with hospitality amenities |
Additional On-Site Information
- Moving around the course: Fans could follow a group all day or plant themselves on one hole and wait for the action to come to them. Public bleachers were at the 1st tee, 10th tee, and 18th green.
- Timing your day: Each group takes roughly 15 minutes to play a hole.
- Chairs: Folding chairs were allowed. Leaving one unattended to hold a spot was not permitted.
- Phones: Permitted but must stay on silent. Camera and video recording was not allowed on competition days.
Travel, Parking, and Accommodation Guide
Travel to Houston, Texas
Memorial Park Golf Course sits at 1001 East Golf Drive, Houston, TX 77019, just west of downtown. Houston is one of the most connected cities in the United States for air travel.
Nearest Airports
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): About 25 miles from Memorial Park. The main hub for international travelers.
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU): About 15 miles from the course. More convenient for domestic travelers.
Transportation Options
| Option | Details |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | Strongly recommended. Drop-off near the main entrance. |
| Rental Car | Available from both airports. Parking near the course during competition rounds is limited. |
| MetroRail | Houston MetroRail stops near Memorial Park. A great option for fans staying downtown. |
| Hotel Shuttle | Several Midtown and Galleria area hotels offer shuttles during major events. |
Accommodation Options
| Area | Distance From Venue | Notes |
| Midtown and Montrose | 1-3 miles | Closest to Memorial Park. Short rideshare or even walkable. |
| Downtown Houston | 3-5 miles | High hotel concentration. Easy MetroRail and rideshare access. |
| Galleria area | 5-8 miles | Premium hotel options with good freeway access. |
| Medical Center area | 4-6 miles | Good value options with easy rideshare access to the course. |
Charity and Community Impact
The Chevron Championship gives back in a big way to the Houston community during tournament week. Community partners in 2026 included Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the LPGA Foundation, First Tee of Greater Houston, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the Cameron Champ Foundation, Prairie View A&M University, and DonorsChoose, among many others.
The two headline charitable initiatives were The Chevron Challenge and Memorial Park Conservancy’s Fuel Your Park program. Both were built to create lasting benefits for Houston’s community infrastructure and youth sports programs well beyond tournament week.
Hosting a major championship at a public municipal course also carried real economic weight for the city. Hotels, restaurants, and local businesses across Houston benefited from thousands of visiting golf fans over the full four-day event.
What Happened at The Chevron Championship 2026
Nelly Korda won The Chevron Championship with a performance worthy of her return to No. 1 in women’s golf. Staked to a five-shot lead at the start of the final round, Korda was efficient as ever and no one could get closer than four shots all afternoon at Memorial Park. She closed with a 2-under 70 for a five-shot victory.
The storyline of the week was total Korda dominance from the very first round. She took the lead on her 16th hole of Thursday’s opening round, hitting 5-iron to 5 feet for birdie, and never trailed again.
Patty Tavatanakit and Ruoning Yin finished tied for second at 13-under, five shots behind Korda. Yan Liu and I. Yoon shared fourth place at 12-under. Hyo Joo Kim finished sixth at 7-under. Hannah Green, Lottie Woad, and R. O’Toole all finished tied seventh at 6-under.
About the only drama in the final hour was whether Korda could break Dottie Pepper’s 72-hole scoring record that has stood since 1999. Korda was playing it safe with a big lead, hitting to the fat of the green and settling for pars. She finished at 18-under, one shot short of the all-time record.
Final Thoughts
The Chevron Championship 2026 delivered everything a historic debut deserved. A new venue in the heart of Houston, a record $9 million purse, and a dominant performance from the best player in women’s golf. Nelly Korda won wire-to-wire at Memorial Park, claimed her third major title, and returned to World No. 1 in the process.
Memorial Park gave Houston its first taste of LPGA major golf and the city delivered a passionate, memorable atmosphere that will bring this event back for years to come. The Chevron Championship 2026 set a new standard for what this tournament can be.
Key Takeaways
- The Chevron Championship 2026 was held April 23-26 at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas, the first time the tournament was played at this venue.
- The total purse was raised to a record $9 million during tournament week, a $1 million increase from 2025.
- Nelly Korda won wire-to-wire, closing with a 2-under 70 for a five-shot victory and earning $1,350,000.
- Patty Tavatanakit and Ruoning Yin shared second place at 13-under, five shots behind Korda.
- The win was Korda’s third major title and 17th LPGA victory, returning her to World No. 1.
- Rounds 1 and 2 aired on Golf Channel. Rounds 3 and 4 broadcast on NBC, with Peacock and ESPN+ streaming all four rounds.
- Memorial Park plays as a par-72 layout at 6,811 yards, renovated by Tom Doak.
- Founded in 1972 and a recognized LPGA major since 1983, The Chevron Championship is one of the oldest events in women’s professional golf.
- The 132-player field included 48 of the top 50 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.
- The winner also received 650 Race to CME Globe points and a five-year LPGA Tour exemption.
FAQs
Who Won The Chevron Championship 2026?
Nelly Korda won the 2026 Chevron Championship with a dominant wire-to-wire performance at Memorial Park in Houston. She closed with a final-round 70 for an 18-under total and a five-shot victory.
Where Was The Chevron Championship Played in 2026?
The 2026 edition was played at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas. It was the first time in the tournament’s 54-year history that Memorial Park hosted the event.
How Does The Chevron Championship Cut Work?
The cut falls after 36 holes, reducing the field to the top 50 players and ties. Players outside that line after Friday’s second round do not play the weekend and receive no prize money for the event. In 2026, the cut fell at 2-over par.
How Much Did the Chevron Championship Winner Earn in 2026?
Nelly Korda earned $1,350,000 from the $9 million total purse, which was raised by $1 million during the week. She also received 650 Race to CME Globe points, a five-year LPGA Tour exemption, and invitations to the remaining four majors of the year.
What Channel Was The Chevron Championship on in 2026?
Rounds 1 and 2 aired on Golf Channel on Thursday and Friday. Rounds 3 and 4 broadcast on NBC on Saturday and Sunday. Peacock streamed Golf Channel and NBC coverage live, and ESPN+ carried featured group streams from early morning on all four days.
