The Chevron Championship is the first women’s major of the 2026 LPGA Tour season, taking place from Wednesday 23 April to Sunday 26 April at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas. Defending champion Mao Saigo returns to face a world-class field including Nelly Korda and Jeeno Thitikul, with $8 million in prize money on the line at a storied new venue for this prestigious event.
What is the Chevron Championship?
The Chevron Championship is one of five major championships on the LPGA Tour and the first major on the 2026 calendar. Originally founded in 1972, it has been classified as a major since 1983 and is one of the most coveted titles in women’s professional golf. The tournament features a 72-hole stroke play format across four rounds from Thursday to Sunday, preceded by a pro-am on Wednesday. The field comprises the world’s leading women’s golfers alongside qualifying amateurs, including 2026 invitees Shauna Liu (Nelly Invitational winner), Paula Martin Sampedro (Women’s British Amateur champion), Megha Ganne (U.S. Women’s Amateur champion), and Yunseo Yang (Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific winner).
When is the Chevron Championship?
The 2026 Chevron Championship runs from Wednesday 23 April to Sunday 26 April. The first two competitive rounds take place on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 April, with the cut applied after Friday’s play. The third round is on Saturday 26 April and the final round on Sunday 27 April. The pro-am takes place on Wednesday 23 April.
Where is the Chevron Championship?
The 2026 edition marks a significant venue change. After three years at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, the Chevron Championship moves to Memorial Park Golf Course in central Houston. Memorial Park is a historic municipal course that underwent a comprehensive $34-million renovation by Tom Doak’s Renaissance Golf Design, completed in 2019. The par-70 layout stretches over 7,400 yards on a relatively flat property with natural ravines. It already hosts the PGA Tour’s Houston Open, making this the first time the same course has hosted both a men’s and women’s tour event in the same season. The course is located within Memorial Park, one of Houston’s largest urban green spaces.
Key Contenders
Defending champion Mao Saigo of Japan will be looking to retain her title after a dramatic victory in 2025, when she won a historic five-player sudden-death playoff, the largest in LPGA major championship history. The 2024 champion Nelly Korda remains a firm favourite, having established herself as the dominant force in women’s golf in recent seasons. World number one Jeeno Thitikul is another leading contender, consistently challenging at the top of leaderboards throughout the 2025 and 2026 seasons. With $8 million in prize money, expect the strongest possible field as every top player on the LPGA Tour targets this first major of the year.
How to Watch
In the United States, NBC Sports provides comprehensive coverage across its platforms. The opening rounds on Thursday and Friday are broadcast live on Golf Channel, with the weekend rounds on Saturday and Sunday airing on NBC. All NBC coverage is simulcast on Peacock. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports Golf carries live coverage of all four rounds, with streaming available via the Sky Go app. International viewers can check their local LPGA Tour broadcast partner, as the event is distributed to golf broadcasters worldwide.
History and Records
The tournament was co-founded in 1972 by Colgate-Palmolive chairman David Foster and entertainer Dinah Shore, and was held at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California for over 50 years. It has undergone several name changes: the Colgate Dinah Shore (1972-1981), Nabisco Dinah Shore (1982-1999), Nabisco Championship (2000-2001), Kraft Nabisco Championship (2002-2014), ANA Inspiration (2015-2021), and the Chevron Championship from 2022 onwards. The tournament record of three victories is shared by Amy Alcott, Betsy King, and Annika Sorenstam. One of golf’s most beloved traditions, the winner’s celebratory leap into “Poppie’s Pond” surrounding the 18th green at Mission Hills, ran from 1988 to 2022 before the venue change to Texas.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the 2026 Chevron Championship are available through the official tournament website at thechevronchampionship.com. Daily grounds passes are typically available, with secondary market prices starting from around $70-$100 per day. Premium hospitality and weekly passes are also offered. Given the excitement surrounding the move to Memorial Park, fans are encouraged to purchase tickets early. Children aged 17 and under are traditionally admitted free with a ticketed adult.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Chevron Championship start?
The 2026 Chevron Championship begins on Wednesday 23 April with the pro-am, with competitive rounds running from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 April.
Where is the Chevron Championship being held?
Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas, a historic municipal course renovated by Tom Doak.
How can I watch the Chevron Championship?
In the US, watch on Golf Channel (Thursday-Friday) and NBC/Peacock (Saturday-Sunday). In the UK, Sky Sports Golf carries all four rounds live.
Who won the Chevron Championship last year?
Mao Saigo of Japan won the 2025 Chevron Championship in a five-player sudden-death playoff at The Club at Carlton Woods.