LPGA Returns to Arizona for 2026 Ford Championship: Key Details
The LPGA Returns to Arizona as players head to Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler for the 2026 Ford Championship. The tournament runs March 26-29, 2026, on the Cattail Course near Phoenix.
Event overview
This stop is the sixth event on the LPGA’s 2026 schedule and the third held in the United States. The tour has staged more than 50 events in Arizona dating back to 1962.
The Ford Championship is one of the season’s early full-field events. A field of 144 players will compete, with a cut after the first two rounds.
Top players entered
The lineup includes the world’s top three players. Jeeno Thitikul is No. 1, Nelly Korda is No. 2, and Charley Hull sits at No. 3.
Thitikul and Korda have already recorded wins in 2026. Hull won the PIF Saudi Ladies International in February and moved to a career-high ranking.
Notable names and storylines
Defending champion Hyo-Joo Kim returns to defend her title. The field also features Lydia Ko, Celine Boutier, Allisen Corpuz and Brooke Henderson.
Other entrants include Ariya Jutanugarn, A Lim Kim, Jennifer Kupcho, Mao Saigo, Maja Stark, Miyu Yamashita and Ruoning Yin. Four Arizona State products listed among the competitors are Carlota Ciganda, Linn Grant, Anna Nordqvist and Linnea Strom.
Season debuts and player notes
Jessica Korda will make a season debut after becoming a mother in February 2024. She last played on the LPGA in May 2023 and has six career LPGA wins.
Lexi Thompson will also start her 2026 campaign at Whirlwind. Thompson has 11 LPGA victories and is seeking her first win since 2019.
Course and location
The event is contested on Whirlwind’s Cattail Course. That layout is one of two 18-hole tracks at the club, paired with Devil’s Claw.
Cattail is tied for 17th on Golfweek’s list of top public-access courses in Arizona. Devil’s Claw ranks 14th, and Cattail sits 35th on Golfweek’s top 50 casino golf courses nationwide. The Cattail was designed by Gary Panks.
Schedule and prize money
Competition begins Thursday and continues through Sunday. The first two rounds take place Thursday and Friday, followed by a weekend after the cut.
The total purse for the 2026 Ford Championship is $2.25 million. The winner’s share is $337,500.
Key details for fans include the strong star power, the Phoenix-area venue, and the timing a month before the season’s first women’s major. Filmogaz.com will provide updates and coverage throughout the week.
