2026 LPGA Major Championships: Complete Preview and Contender Analysis

The 2026 LPGA major championship season is rapidly approaching, and the storylines couldn't be more compelling. With Nelly Korda chasing history, a new generation of international stars rising, and course setups that promise to test every facet of the game, this year's five majors are shaping up to be must-watch events.

Here's your comprehensive breakdown of what to expect—and who to watch—as the world's best compete for golf's most prestigious titles.

The Chevron Championship – April 16-19, The Club at Carlton Woods

The first major of the year returns to Texas, where The Club at Carlton Woods will host for the third consecutive season. The Fazio-designed layout demands precision off the tee, with water lurking on 11 holes.

Last year's winning score of 14-under suggests birdie opportunities exist—but only for those who can navigate the risk-reward par-5s effectively. Expect scoring to hinge on the par-4 14th, which played as the toughest hole in 2025 at +0.34 strokes to par.

Contenders to Watch:

• Nelly Korda – Her ball-striking metrics remain elite (71.2% GIR in 2025), and she's determined to add a second Chevron title
• Lilia Vu – The 2023 champion knows how to close at this event; her scrambling percentage of 68.4% suits the demanding greens
• Ayaka Furue – Led the tour in birdie average last season and thrives on birdie-fest setups

U.S. Women's Open – May 28-31, Pinehurst No. 2

This is the one everyone's circling. Pinehurst No. 2's crowned greens and wiregrass-lined rough create perhaps the most demanding test in women's golf.

When the men played here in 2024, approach shot accuracy was the ultimate differentiator. Missing greens means navigating terrifying runoffs where a wedge and a prayer won't cut it. The winner will likely hover around even par—maybe 3 or 4 under if conditions soften.

Course management will be everything. Attacking pins at Pinehurst is a fool's errand; the smart play is center-green and trusting your putter.

Contenders to Watch:

• Jin Young Ko – Her metronomic consistency is tailor-made for survival golf; she ranked 2nd in proximity from 150+ yards
• Rose Zhang – The Stanford product possesses the complete game and mental fortitude to grind out a U.S. Open title
• Minjee Lee – A two-time major champion with elite iron play; her 2022 U.S. Open victory proves she can win in brutal conditions

KPMG Women's PGA Championship – June 25-28, Sahalee Country Club

Sahalee's tree-lined corridors in the Pacific Northwest will demand accuracy above all else. This isn't a bomber's paradise—it's a precision player's proving ground.

The championship returns to Sahalee for the first time since 2016, when Brooke Henderson captured her first major. Tight fairways average just 28 yards wide, punishing wayward drives with thick Pacific Northwest rough and towering Douglas firs.

Expect the field to lean heavily on fairway metals and hybrids off the tee. Driving accuracy will correlate strongly with final leaderboard position.

Contenders to Watch:

• Lydia Ko – Her 73.8% fairway accuracy makes Sahalee a perfect fit; she's also proven in pressure moments with two major titles
• Hannah Green – The Australian's 2019 Women's PGA triumph showcased her ability to manage tight tracks under major pressure
• Hyo Joo Kim – Quietly one of the tour's most consistent performers; her controlled ball flight plays well in the trees

The Amundi Evian Championship – July 9-12, Evian Resort Golf Club

The European major offers a different challenge—a resort course with elevation changes, receptive greens, and the potential for low scoring. But don't be fooled by the scenery.

Lake Geneva creates unpredictable wind patterns, and the back nine's undulating terrain can create awkward stances and difficult lies. The winning score typically lands between 15-under and 20-under, making aggressive play a necessity.

This is where bombers can shine. Par-5 scoring often determines the champion.

Contenders to Watch:

• Nelly Korda – Won here in 2023; her length off the tee creates eagle opportunities others simply don't have
• Celine Boutier – The French star's emotional 2023 Evian victory on home soil remains one of golf's great moments; she'll be motivated to repeat
• Charley Hull – Her aggressive style suits low-scoring events; she finished T-3 at Evian in 2024

AIG Women's Open – August 6-9, Royal Porthcawl

Links golf returns to Wales, and Royal Porthcawl promises to be a spectacular venue. This will be the first women's major held at the historic course, which has hosted The Senior Open Championship.

Exposed to Bristol Channel winds, Porthcawl will demand creativity, trajectory control, and the ability to manufacture shots. The rough will be thick, the bounces unpredictable, and the weather almost certainly a factor.

Players comfortable shaping the ball both ways will have a significant advantage. Pure target golf won't work here—adaptability is paramount.

Contenders to Watch:

• Lilia Vu – Her 2023 Women's Open victory at Walton Heath proved she can win on firm, fast surfaces
• Georgia Hall – The English star's 2018 Women's Open triumph and comfort in links conditions make her a serious threat
• Maja Stark – The Swedish rising star grew up playing wind-swept courses and possesses exceptional shot-shaping ability

The Season-Long Narrative

Beyond individual tournaments, the 2026 major season offers compelling season-long storylines. Nelly Korda enters the year seeking her fourth career major—a number that would tie her with some of the game's modern legends.

Meanwhile, a loaded class of twentysomethings—Rose Zhang, Maja Stark, and Atthaya Thitikul among them—are poised to break through with their first major victories. The transition from contender to champion often happens suddenly in women's golf.

And don't sleep on the veterans. Lydia Ko, Inbee Park, and Lexi Thompson have all proven that major championship experience is irreplaceable when Sunday pressure mounts.

Final Thoughts

The diversity of venues—from Pinehurst's punishing precision test to Evian's birdie-fest to Porthcawl's links challenge—ensures that 2026's major champions will need complete games. There's no single formula for success across all five events.

Mark your calendars, clear your weekends, and prepare for a major season that promises both historic achievements and breakthrough performances. The LPGA's best are ready.