Record prize of 9 million at the 2026 Chevron Championship.

The world of women’s golf is about to experience a historic milestone with the spectacular increase in prize money for the 2026 Chevron Championship, the first major of the LPGA season. In a decision that promises to revolutionize the sport, the organization announced a staggering increase in prize money to an impressive $9 million, one million more than in 2025 and a remarkable jump of $5.9 million since Chevron took over sponsorship in 2022.

This remarkable growth positions the Chevron Championship as one of the most lucrative tournaments on the women’s circuit, although it still trails behind the U.S. Women’s Open and the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, which offered $12 million each in 2025. Nevertheless, it represents a colossal advancement and a significant incentive for the players, with the winner set to take home $1.35 million in a single weekend at Memorial Park in Houston.

To understand the magnitude of this increase, one only needs to look back in time: Jane Blalock, the winner of the tournament’s inaugural edition (then known as the Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner’s Circle), received just $20,050, an amount that today corresponds to the prize for 17th place. In 1983, when the tournament achieved major status, Amy Alcott won $55,000 from a total prize pool of $400,000. The dizzying increase reflects not only the growth of women’s golf but also the recognition and investment that the sport deserves.

The 2026 Chevron Championship promises not only excitement on the course but also a true battle for prize money, with a detailed prize distribution system for players who make the cut. The prize distribution scales from first place, with $1.35 million, down to 67th place, which will still secure $18,282.

Here is the complete breakdown of the prizes for players who make the cut this week:

– 1st place: $1,350,000

– 2nd place: $776,455

– 3rd place: $563,263

– 4th place: $435,727

– 5th place: $350,713

– 6th place: $286,945

– 7th place: $240,184

– 8th place: $210,429

– 9th place: $189,173

– 10th place: $172,167

And so on, down to 67th place. This format ensures that nearly all players who excel in the tournament are significantly rewarded, reflecting the growing professionalism and competitiveness of the LPGA Tour.

As the tournament progresses, interest grows, not only in the fight for the title but also in following which players will secure the largest prizes. At the end of the event, we will update with the names of the winners and the corresponding prize money distribution, so that golf fans can follow each step of this financial and sporting achievement.

The Chevron Championship 2026 is not just a competition; it is a revolution in women’s golf. Get ready to witness an epic battle in Houston, where talent, ambition, and money intersect in an unprecedented spectacle. This is the moment when women’s golf asserts its prominent place in the world of sports — and you won’t want to miss a second of this story being written.

This article first appeared in Apito Final.