The Chevron Championship is one of the five majors in women’s professional golf. First played in 1972, it became an LPGA major in 1983 and has evolved through several names and title sponsors. Its place in the spring calendar, strong fields and memorable finishes have made it a defining championship of the LPGA Tour.
The story that defines this major
Nelly Korda won at Memorial Park by five shots in 2026, turning the opening women’s major into a statement performance.
A CHAMPIONSHIP IN MOTION
From a desert tradition to a Houston setting
The beginning
The tournament began as the Colgate-Dinah Shore event and grew into one of the defining stops on the women’s calendar.
A celebration became a ritual
The leap into Poppie’s Pond became a defining tradition of the championship’s Mission Hills era, which ended after 2022.
A new chapter
The move to Texas in 2023—and to Memorial Park for 2026—gave the championship a new setting while preserving its major status.
At a glance
History and evolution
The tournament began in 1972 and became one of the LPGA’s major championships in 1983. Across different eras it has been known by names including the Colgate-Dinah Shore, Nabisco Dinah Shore, Kraft Nabisco Championship, ANA Inspiration and, from 2022, The Chevron Championship. The successive names reflect changes in sponsorship, while the tournament’s major status and place in women’s golf endured.
For many years the event was closely associated with Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California. As venues and sponsors changed, the championship continued to adapt while retaining its place as a high-profile early-season test.
Signature stories and recent highlights
One of the event’s most familiar images was the winner’s celebratory leap into Poppie’s Pond at Mission Hills. That tradition became linked to the tournament’s identity, though the venue change means readers should not assume that the same setting is used every year.
The 2026 championship moved to Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston. Nelly Korda won at 18 under par, finishing five shots clear of Patty Tavatanakit and Ruoning Yin. It was Korda’s third major title and another example of the tournament’s ability to produce a decisive performance under pressure.
Milestones in the Chevron Championship
- The tournament is first played.
- It becomes one of the LPGA’s major championships.
- Amy Alcott’s celebratory jump into the water helps establish a tradition later associated with the event’s Mission Hills years.
- Morgan Pressel wins at 18, then the youngest winner of an LPGA major.
- The tournament continues under the Kraft Nabisco / ANA-era title changes that shaped its modern identity.
- Chevron becomes title sponsor and the championship adopts its current name.
- Nelly Korda wins the title during a historic run of five consecutive LPGA victories.
- Korda wins at Memorial Park in Houston, finishing 18 under par.
Format and how the champion is decided
The championship is played over 72 holes of stroke play, with competitors aiming to finish on the lowest total number of strokes. The cut and field conditions follow the tournament’s regulations for each edition. Since qualifying rules, field details and event schedules can change, the official LPGA page should be used for current-year specifics.
The course test generally rewards a combination of accurate approach play, control around the greens and sound decisions under pressure. Exact course characteristics vary with the venue, so venue-specific observations should be tied to the course actually hosting that edition.
Courses and settings
The Chevron Championship’s venue history is important to its story. Mission Hills provided the backdrop for many celebrated editions and the famous pond celebration. The event later moved to The Club at Carlton Woods in Texas and then to Memorial Park in Houston in 2026.
The current venue should always be confirmed on the official event listing before each season.
Recent champions
| Year | Champion | Venue | Dates contested | The moment that mattered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Nelly Korda−18 · 270 | Memorial Park Golf Course | Apr 23–26, 2026 | Won by five shots at Memorial Park and captured her third major championship. |
| 2025 | Mao Saigo−7 · 281 | The Club at Carlton Woods | Apr 24–27, 2025 | Won a five-player play-off for her first major title. |
| 2024 | Nelly Korda−13 · 275 | The Club at Carlton Woods | Apr 18–21, 2024 | Her victory formed part of a remarkable run of five consecutive LPGA wins. |
| 2023 | Lilia Vu−10 · 278 | The Club at Carlton Woods | Apr 20–23, 2023 | Won her first major title after a strong final-round performance. |
| 2022 | Jennifer Kupcho−14 · 274 | Mission Hills Country Club | Apr 21–24, 2022 | Won the final edition at Mission Hills before the championship moved to Texas. |
For the official schedule, rules and full records, see Official championship website ↗.
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