LPGA's 2026 Slate Ignites with Bold New Stops, Star Power

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The LPGA Tour launched its 77th season January 29 at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, drawing winners from 2025 with a $2.1 million purse and Nelly Korda as defending champion.[3][4] This 31-event schedule, down from 32 last year after dropping the Black Desert Championship, spans January 29 to November 22 at Tiburón Golf Club for the CME Group Tour Championship.[2][4] New additions like the Fortinet Founders Cup and Aramco Championship signal aggressive expansion amid surging global interest.[1] Spotlighting innovation, the Fortinet Founders Cup March 19-22 returns the tour to California's Bay Area at exclusive Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club in Menlo Park, offering a $3 million purse.[1][4] The Aramco Championship follows April 2-5 at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas, Nevada, with a hefty $4 million prize pool on the opulent Las Vegas Strip venue.[2][4] These debuts join venue shifts, including the Chevron Championship's move to Houston's Memorial Park Golf Course April 23-26, boasting an $8 million purse and Mao Saigo as titleholder.[3][4] Majors anchor the stakes: U.S. Women's Open June 4-7 at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California ($12 million, Maja Stark defending); KPMG Women’s PGA Championship June 25-28 at Hazeltine National ($12 million, Minjee Lee); and Amundi Evian Championship July 9-12 in France ($8 million, Grace Kim).[3][4] Early stops span continents -- Honda LPGA Thailand February 19-22 ($1.8 million, Jeeno Thitikul) and HSBC Women’s World Championship February 26-March 1 in Singapore ($3 million, Hannah Green).[3][4] Competition intensifies with season-long races for points based on finishes, fueling rivalries among stars like Korda, Thitikul and surging talents.[1] Purses total tens of millions, with JM Eagle LA Championship April 16-19 at $3.75 million (Ingrid Lindblad defending) and Mizuho Americas Open May 7-10 at $3.25 million (Thitikul).[2][3] As Round 3 highlights from recent events like JM Eagle LA underscore the tour's edge, 2026 positions women's golf for peak visibility.[7]