LPGA’s first major of 2026 comes with big questions and massive stakes

The Chevron Championship, the LPGA's first major of 2026, is being held in Houston at the Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas, carrying significant stakes for the tour under new commissioner Craig Kessler. Kessler has outlined ambitious plans including a new broadcast television deal, schedule changes, and purse increases aimed at elevating women's golf and growing its fanbase. The tournament, elevated to major status in 1983, has struggled with identity issues since moving from Mission Hills to Texas in 2023, with critics noting the course and broadcast have failed to convey the prestige of a major event.