The Chevron Championship

Location: Venue announcement pending

Dates: April 23-26

Money: $8 million total purse

Previous Champion: Mao Saigo (Japan)

Starting in 1972, this championship launches each major season. Its signature moment? The champion’s leap into Poppie’s Pond—a tradition that never gets old. Eight million dollars awaits the winner who navigates four days of championship pressure. Spring timing means players arrive fresh and hungry after winter preparations.

U.S. Women’s Open presented by Ally

Location: Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, California

Dates: June 4-7

Money: $12 million (Tour’s richest event)

Previous Champion: Maja Stark (Sweden)

When the USGA sets up a golf course, expect brutally honest examination. This championship doesn’t just test skill—it tests mental toughness, patience, and shot-making creativity. Twelve million dollars makes it the tour’s richest prize, while Riviera’s first Women’s Open hosting adds fresh intrigue. Dating back to 1946, winning this trophy means joining an elite club of golf’s greatest names.

KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

Location: Hazeltine National Golf Club, Chaska, Minnesota

Dates: June 25-28

Money: $12 million (tied for richest)

Previous Champion: Minjee Lee (Australia)

Organized by the PGA of America since 1955, this major has grown into a $12 million showpiece. Hazeltine National brings serious championship credentials—it’s hosted PGA Championships, U.S. Opens, and Ryder Cups. Late June scheduling puts this squarely in the season’s peak stretch when players hit top form. Expect elite shot-making on a course that demands precision and power.

The Amundi Evian Championship

Location: Evian Resort Golf Club, Evian-les-Bains, France

Dates: July 9-12

Money: $8 million

Previous Champion: Grace Kim (Australia)

Imagine competing with Lake Geneva and the French Alps as your backdrop. That’s the Evian experience. Added to major status in 2013, this European gem combines stunning scenery with demanding golf. Eight million in prize money attracts the world’s best to this July showcase. Perfect summer weather in a luxury resort setting makes this golf’s most glamorous major championship.

AIG Women’s Open

Location: Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, England

Dates: July 30 – August 2

Money: $9.75 million

Previous Champion: Miyu Yamashita (Japan)

Links golf. British weather. Championship pressure. That’s what awaits players at season’s final major. Royal Lytham has hosted the British Open eleven times, its challenges well documented. Wind direction changes everything here—morning calm becomes afternoon gale. With $9.75 million at stake and major season concluding, drama runs high. Founded in 1976, this championship crowns the player who masters traditional golf’s toughest test.

The Money Game

Total prize money exceeds $100 million for the first time ever. That’s not just a number—it’s validation of women’s golf reaching new commercial heights. Major championships alone account for nearly half this total at $49.75 million. Even regular tour stops now feature multi-million dollar purses, averaging around $2.5 million per event.

The CME Group Tour Championship stands out with its $11 million purse and winner-take-home of roughly $4 million—the single biggest payday in women’s golf. Compare that to just a decade ago, and the growth becomes staggering.

Going Global

The 2026 schedule reflects serious international expansion. Eight Asian tournaments create substantial presence across Thailand, Singapore, China, South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia. European stops in France, England, and Scotland maintain traditional connections while the Netherlands hosts the Solheim Cup.

This geographical spread does more than showcase golf—it builds fanbases, develops talent pipelines, and creates commercial opportunities across diverse markets. The October Asian swing particularly demonstrates commitment to developing golf in the Pacific region.

Competition Intensity

With 34 tournaments over ten months, players face relentless competition. The Race to CME Globe points system keeps every tournament meaningful—even early season events matter when fighting for that top-60 spot in the season finale. Major championship bunching in June and July creates a pressure-packed mid-season stretch where legends emerge and contenders falter.

How long does the 2026 season run?

The season kicks off January 29 in Orlando and wraps up November 22 in Naples—nearly ten full months of competition. That’s 34 official tournaments plus the December Grant Thornton Invitational mixed team event.

What’s the difference between majors and regular tournaments?

Major championships offer significantly larger purses (ranging from $8-12 million versus $2-4 million for regular events), award more Race to CME Globe points, and carry far greater prestige. Winning a major cements a player’s legacy in ways regular tournament victories cannot match.

Which event has the biggest prize?

Two tournaments tie at $12 million: the U.S. Women’s Open and KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. However, the CME Group Tour Championship’s winner receives the largest individual check at approximately $4 million from its $11 million total purse.

What is the Solheim Cup?

This biennial team competition pits Europe against the United States in match play format—similar to the men’s Ryder Cup. Taking place September 11-13 in the Netherlands, 12 players per side compete for national pride rather than prize money. It’s incredibly intense and always delivers dramatic moments.

How does the Race to CME Globe work?

Players accumulate points throughout the season based on tournament finishes. The top 60 in points qualify for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, where a unique scoring system determines both the tournament and season champion. The player who shoots the lowest 72-hole score wins everything.