Why is the Chevron Championship so special? How can players qualify? Where will the competition be held? And who is likely to be impressed? Sky Sports brings you the latest information ahead of the season’s opening women’s major.
What is Chevron Championship?
Of the five women’s majors, the Chevron Championship is the third oldest tournament after the U.S. Women’s Open and Women’s PGA Championship, but it only gained major status in 1983.
The 2026 tournament will be the 56th edition of the event, and 132 golfers will compete for the Dinah Shore Trophy, an avid golfer and American singer and actress who helped found the event in 1972.
The tournament was originally held as a 54-hole event, but since its inception it has grown to become one of the most anticipated events on the women’s golf calendar, boasting the largest prize pool in the game.
Where is the Chevron Championship held?
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Highlights from the 2025 Chevron Championship Final Round in The Woodlands, Texas
The Chevron Championship was first held at Mission Hills Country Club in California and moved to the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at the club in Carleton Woods, Texas in 2023.
In 2026, the Chevron Championship will move an hour away to Houston’s Memorial Park Golf Course, a par-72 course that regularly hosts the PGA Tour’s Houston Open.
This tournament has many unique traditions, but one of the best was introduced in 1988 by three-time champion Amy Alcott. The American celebrated his victory by jumping into the lake next to the 18th green at Mission Hills Country Club. Since then, it has become a tradition for all champions to jump into the pond next to the green.
In fact, this year’s organizers at Memorial Park take this tradition so seriously that grounds staff have set up a makeshift pool near the 18th hole green for this year’s winners to jump into.
Who can play in the Chevron Championship?
Nelly Korda jumps into the championship pond after winning the Chevron Championship in 2024
Unlike the AIG Women’s Open, where any amateur with a handicap of 0.4 or less is eligible to play, only the best of the best can play at the Chevron Championship, and this year’s field is full of world-class golfers.
Past champions, former major winners and LPGA tournament winners all receive invitations along with the top 10 players from the previous year’s championship.
Meanwhile, players from other tours who have not yet been exempted have also been invited to participate, including the top two players from the European Women’s Tour, the Japan LPGA and the Korean LPGA.
Eight of the world’s best amateur athletes will also participate in the 2026 tournament.
Who is competing in the Chevron Championship?
Mao Saigo is the defending champion of the Chevron Championship
Defending champion Mao Saigo is aiming for back-to-back titles in Texas this year after winning the 2025 Chevron Championship by defeating four other competitors in a playoff.
Several British stars are also taking part this week. Charlie Hull is aiming for his first major championship and hopes to finish high on the leaderboard after missing out on a spot last year.
Lottie Ward’s rapid rise to the top of women’s golf has been remarkable, and the 22-year-old will no doubt be aiming for her first major win in Houston.
Who will impress?
Hannah Greene is one of the in-form athletes competing in the Chevron Championship this week.
In-form Australian Hannah Green is one of the favorites to win the first women’s major tournament of the season. Green won four of her last five matches in 2026, winning the HSBC Women’s World Championship, Australian Women’s Open, Australian WPGA Championship and last week’s JM Eagle LA Championship in California.
South Korea’s Kim Hyo-joo is also in good form, winning back-to-back titles in the Fortinet Founders Cup and Ford Championship in early March.
Past Chevron champion Nelly Korda is also off to a good start heading into the 2026 season. Korda competed in four tournaments this year, winning one event at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions and placing second in the other three.
“I’ve had a few times where I finished second and ran off the golf course, but there were times when I was so proud of myself for finishing second and putting myself in that position,” Korda said. “I think it’s about growing into the person you want to be and growing into the athlete you want to be. But if I hadn’t put myself in that position and experienced those emotions, I wouldn’t have understood it.”
“I think sometimes you don’t have to lash out or act appropriately. Then you know, I don’t want to act like that. I should be proud of myself. I put myself in that position many times. I worked hard to put myself in that position. If you keep doing that, eventually you’re going to crack.”
Who has ever won a Chevron Championship?
Annika Sorenstam has won the Chevron Championship three times in the past.
Former European Solheim Cup captain Annika Sorenstam is one of the event’s most famous past champions, with the Swede joining Olcott and Betsy King as the only golfers in history to win a major three times.
Lexi Thompson is also a past champion, winning the event in 2014, her only major title. Three years later, the American was leading by two strokes through 54 holes at the Chevron Championship, but was embroiled in a rules dispute on the 12th green when he appeared to place the ball in the wrong spot on the green. Thompson was given a two-stroke penalty and ended up finishing T2.
How much prize money will the champion receive?
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Ariya Jutanugarn hit a chip shot 3 inches at the Chevron Championship on the 18th, blowing the lead and sending it into the playoffs.
The Chevron Championship prize pot will be increased by $100,000 (£73,866) this year, with a whopping $8 million (£5.91 million) to be split among the top winners.
This is a significant increase from the 2021 event, which totaled $3.1 million (£2.29 million), making it one of the most lucrative events on the LPGA Tour.
Why is the Chevron Championship important?
Anna Nordqvist will lead Team Europe to Solheim Cup later this year
Team Europe captain for the 2026 Solheim Cup, Anna Nordqvist, is also a notable participant in the event. The Swede will no doubt be keeping an eye on Europe’s stars this week as she bids to win her fourth major title while finalizing her spot at September’s Solheim Cup.
Players looking to earn a spot on a European or American team can improve their chances of being named captain or automatically earning a spot by finishing as high as possible on the leaderboard.
The biennial event between Europe and America is approaching and there is no doubt that multiple players in the field will be looking to get the season off to a good start.
How can I watch the Chevron Championship live on Sky Sports?
Sky Sports is home to all five women’s majors and will have live coverage of all four days of the Chevron Championship, which runs from April 23 to 26.
Golf fans can tune in to Sky Sports Main Event or Sky Sports Golf from 4pm on Thursdays and Fridays for early coverage of the first and second rounds.
The move will continue through the weekend, with the final two rounds starting to be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf from 7pm on Saturday and Sunday.
You can watch live action on all four days of the tournament on Sky Sports+, as well as plenty of additional feeds and highlights.
Who will win the Chevron Championship? Watch the opening women’s major of the 2026 season live on Sky Sports all week long. Live coverage of the opening match begins on Thursday at 4pm on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event. Stream Chevron Championship without a contract.
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