The LPGA Tour’s major season tees off April 23-26 with the Chevron Championship at Memorial Park Golf Course, where 132 of the world’s best women golfers will battle for the Dinah Shore Trophy on the spectacular Jack Nicklaus Signature Course.
With an $8 million purse and a star-packed field, this historic event — dating back to 1972 and a major since 1983 — promises high drama in Houston.
Red-hot Nelly Korda will headline, alongside world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, who is seeking her first career major amid a mini slump.
Korda and Thitikul will face fierce competition from stars such as Charley Hull, Hyojoo Kim, and last week’s L.A. winner, Hannah Green.
The course, which hosts the PGA Tour’s Houston Open and is known for its firm, fast greens and a links‑inspired layout, will test precision and nerve.
The Skinny
Chevron Championship
Dates: April 24-27, 2025
Where: The Woodlands, Texas
Course: Memorial Park Golf Course
Distance: Par 72, 6811 yards
Architect: John Bredemus (1936)
Reno: Tom Doak (2019)
Format: 72-holes, stroke play
Cut: After 36 Holes (Top 60+)
Field Size: 132
Purse: $8,000,000
Winning Share: $1,200,000
Trophy: Dinah Shore Trophy
Defending Champion: Mao Saigo
How to Follow: Chevron Championship
TV: Thu-Fri: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 6-8 p.m. (GOLF); Sat: 1-3 p.m. (NBC), 3-6 p.m. (GOLF); Sun: 2-5:30 p.m. (NBC)
STREAM: Peacock, NBC Sports App, GolfChannel.com
LINKS: Website | Leaderboard | X | Facebook | Instagram
Chevron Championship History
What was originally an event started in 1972 based around the popular entertainer and golf enthusiast Dinah Shore has grown through the years, becoming an LPGA major in 1983.
Traditionally, it has been contested as the first major of the LPGA season, usually held in late March or April.
Shore’s influence was heavily felt, as the tournament was contested on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course and the winner’s trophy carried Dinah Shore’s name. Shore was among those who have participated in one of the event’s most recognizable traditions, a jump into “Poppie’s Pond” beside the 18th green for the champion (and frequently, her caddie and several others.)
In 2022, the tournament was held in Mission Hills for the final time; as part of its new title sponsorship agreement with Chevron Corporation, the championship moved to the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at The Club at Carlton Woods in 2023 to coincide with the company’s move to the Greater Houston area.
The tradition of the winning plunge was also carried over to The Woodlands as the lake between the 9th and 18th holes was dredged, cleaned, and had netting installed to protect against alligators. A dock and ladder were also constructed on the 18th hole, allowing the champion a safe entry and easy exit. Its first champion, Lilia Vu, took the jump into the lake in 2023 and was followed by Korda in 2024.
In 2026, the major tournament was moved to Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas, to enhance the LPGA Tour’s first major of the season. The relocation was made to bring the event closer to Chevron’s new corporate headquarters and the center of downtown Houston. The move was also a strategic decision to align with Chevron’s corporate presence and leverage the existing infrastructure and fan experience as the course also hosts the PGA Tour’s Houston Open.
With the move to Memorial Park, a man-made pond will be constructed near Memorial Park’s 18th green in time for the 2027 tournament, with a temporary concrete-lined pool being used for 2026; organizers hoped the dedicated construction would alleviate the hesitancy over the lake jump used at The Woodlands.
Many of the biggest names in the history of women’s golf have been champions of the event through the years, including Annika Sorenstam, Betsy King and Amy Alcott — all three-time winners of the event — and, more recently, Stacy Lewis, Inbee Park, Lexi Thompson, Brittany Lincicome (twice), Lydia Ko, and Nelly Korda.
Tournament Names
2022-Pres: Chevron Championship
2015-21: ANA Inspiration
2002-14: Kraft Nabisco Championship
2000-01: Nabisco Championship
1983-99: Nabisco Dinah Shore
1982-82: Nabisco Dinah Shore Invitational
1981-81: Colgate-Dinah Shore
1972-80: Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner’s Circle
Recent Chevron Championship Winners
2025: Mao Saigo (-7)
2024: Nelly Korda (-13)
2023: Lilia Vu (-10)
2022: Jennifer Kupcho (-14)
2021: Patty Tavatanakit (-18)
2020: Mirim Lee (-15)
2019: Jin-young Ko (-10)
2018: Pernilla Lindberg (-15)
2017: So Yeon Ryu (-14)
2016: Lydia Ko (-12)
2015: Brittany Lincicome (-9)
2014: Lexi Thompson (-14)
2013: Inbee Park (-15)
2012: Sun-Young Yoo (-9)
2011: Stacy Lewis (-13)
Chevron Championship Field
World No. 2 Nelly Korda enters Houston in top form, off five consecutive top-3 finishes, including a win and three silvers. Korda, the heavy tournament favorite at 5-1, won this major at The Woodlands in 2024.
Korda will face fierce competition from world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul (14-1) — seeking her first major, and No. 3 Hyojoo Kim (16-1), who claimed back-to-back victories late last month.
Marquee stars Charley Hull (20-1) and Ina Yoon (20-1) round out the top-5 betting favorites.
Hannah Green, who won last week in L.A., her second LPGA title of 2026, Haeran Ryu and Miyu Yamashita are some of the other top contenders.
Lydia Ko, Minjee Lee, Nasa Hataoka, Sei Young Kim, Brooke Henderson, Angel Kim, and Ayaka Furue add firepower, while four amateurs, continuing the event’s tradition, get a shot at glory.
Top-10 Betting Favorites
1. Nelly Korda (5/1)
2. Jeeno Thitikul (14/1)
3. Hyojoo Kim (16/1)
4. Charley Hull (20/1)
4. Ina Yoon (20/1)
6. Haeran Ryu (22/1)
6. Hannah Green (22/1)
6. Miyu Yamashita (22/1)
9. Akie Iwai (25/1)
9. Minjee Lee (25/1)
9. Nasa Hataoka (25/1)
9. Sei Young Kim (25/1)
Full Field & Odds
Credits: LPGA Tour Media, Getty Images
