Chevron Championship beginner's guide: Field, format and all you need to know ahead of first women’s major of 2026

Out of the five women's majors, The Chevron Championship is the third-oldest tournament behind the US Women's Open and the Women's PGA Championship, but it only gained major status in 1983.

The 2026 tournament is the 56th edition of the event and will see 132 golfers compete for the Dinah Shore Trophy, named after the American singer and actress, who was an avid golfer and helped found the event in 1972.

The tournament was initially played as a 54-hole event, but since its inception, it has grown into one of the most anticipated events in the women's golf calendar, boasting one of the largest prize purses in the game.

The Chevron Championship was first held at Mission Hills Country Club in California, before moving to the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at The Club at Carlton Woods in Texas in 2023.

For 2026, The Chevron Championship moves an hour down the road to Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, a par-72 course which regularly hosts the PGA Tour's Houston Open.

The tournament has many unique traditions, but one of the best was introduced by three-time champion Amy Alcott back in 1988, when the American jumped into the lake next to the 18th green at Mission Hills Country Club to celebrate her victory. Since then, it has become a tradition for every champion to leap into a pond next to the green.

In fact, this year's hosts at Memorial Park are taking the tradition so seriously that grounds staff are installing a temporary pool near the green on the 18th hole for this year's winner to jump into.

Unlike the AIG Women's Open, where any amateur player who has a handicap of 0.4 or lower can qualify for the event, only the best of the best can play at The Chevron Championship, with this year's field brimming with 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 are also invited to attend, including the top two players on the Ladies European Tour, LPGA of Japan and the LPGA of Korea, who are not already exempt.

The 2026 event will also feature eight of the world's best amateur players.