LPGA Tour - Complete Guide for Golf Fans

The LPGA Tour is the premier professional golf tour for women, featuring the best female golfers in the world competing across a global schedule of events. Founded in 1950, the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) has grown from humble beginnings into a world-class sporting organisation with a passionate global fanbase. This guide covers everything you need to know about the LPGA Tour - its history, format, major championships and how to follow the action.

History of the LPGA Tour

The LPGA was founded in 1950 by 13 pioneering women, Patty Berg, Louise Suggs and Babe Zaharias among them. The early years were modest - players often drove themselves between events and helped set up the courses - but the quality of play was never in doubt.

The tour grew steadily through the decades. The 1970s and 1980s saw players like Nancy Lopez bring mainstream attention to women's golf, while the arrival of Annika Sorenstam, Karrie Webb and Se Ri Pak in the late 1990s and 2000s transformed the tour into a truly global circuit. Pak's breakthrough, in particular, inspired a generation of South Korean players who would go on to dominate the LPGA for years.

Today, the LPGA Tour is more competitive and diverse than ever, with players from South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Australia, the United States, Europe and beyond competing at the highest level.

LPGA Major Championships

The LPGA Tour recognises five major championships - the most prestigious events on the women's golf calendar:

The Chevron Championship

Formerly known as the ANA Inspiration, this event was held at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California for decades. The winner traditionally jumped into "Poppie's Pond" at the 18th green. In 2023 the event moved to The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas, and in 2026 it moved again, to Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston. Nelly Korda won the first edition there by five strokes.

U.S. Women's Open

Organised by the USGA, the U.S. Women's Open is arguably the most prestigious event in women's golf. It features the toughest course setups and the deepest fields, with qualification open to professionals and amateurs alike. The purse has grown significantly in recent years. In 2026 at Riviera it was a record $12.5 million, and Nelly Korda won by one shot for her first U.S. Women's Open title.

Women's PGA Championship

Run by the PGA of America and the LPGA, this championship dates back to 1955, when it was known as the LPGA Championship. It regularly features some of the most dramatic finishes in women's golf and is a highlight of the summer schedule. In 2026 at Hazeltine National, Haeran Ryu came from 10 shots behind the first-round leader to win her first major.

The Evian Championship

Held at the Evian Resort Golf Club in the French Alps, this became the fifth LPGA major in 2013. The stunning setting and European location give it a unique feel among the women's majors. Ryu won it in 2026 too, beating Brooke Henderson in a play-off for her second major in as many weeks.

Women's Open (AIG Women's Open)

The AIG Women's Open is run by the R&A and is the only women's major played in Great Britain, where its rotation leans on the classic links. The event carries enormous prestige and has produced some of the most memorable moments in women's golf. The 50th edition, at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2026, went to Japan's Shiho Kuwaki, who beat Esther Henseleit in a play-off for her first major.

Race to CME Globe

The Race to CME Globe is the LPGA Tour's season-long points competition, culminating in the CME Group Tour Championship - the season finale. The format rewards consistent performance throughout the year: the top 60 in the standings qualify for the finale in Naples, Florida.

In the 2024 format, all 60 started the finale level on points, so whoever won the CME Group Tour Championship also won the Race. That edition carried an $11 million purse, with $4 million to the winner.

Top LPGA Players to Watch

The LPGA Tour features extraordinary depth of talent:

• Nelly Korda - the American world number one (Rolex Rankings, as of 5 October 2026), who won the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women's Open in 2026, taking her to four majors
• Jeeno Thitikul: the Thai star ranked second in the world as of 5 October 2026
• Haeran Ryu: the South Korean who won back-to-back majors in 2026, the KPMG Women's PGA and the Evian, and sits third in the world as of 5 October 2026
• Lydia Ko - the New Zealand prodigy who became the youngest number one in the world at just 17, and in 2024 was inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame
• Celine Boutier - a French player who won the Evian Championship on home soil in 2023, becoming a hero of European women's golf
• Jin Young Ko - the South Korean who won the 2019 Evian Championship, known for her consistency and putting

How the LPGA Tour Season Works

The LPGA season typically runs from late January through November, with more than 30 official events. The 2026 schedule visits 11 countries: the United States, Canada, Mexico, Thailand, Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea, France, Scotland and England.

Tournament Format

LPGA events follow standard stroke play format:

• 72 holes over four rounds (some events are 54 holes)
• 36-hole cut - the field is trimmed after two rounds for the weekend
• Lowest cumulative score wins

Qualification

Players earn their LPGA Tour cards through several pathways:

• LPGA Q-Series - a multi-stage qualifying competition
• Epson Tour - the LPGA's developmental tour, with the top 15 on its season points list earning LPGA cards
• World ranking - top-ranked players receive tournament exemptions
• Non-member performance - strong finishes as a non-member can earn playing privileges

International Diversity

One of the LPGA Tour's greatest strengths is its international diversity. On any given leaderboard, you might see players from ten or more countries. South Korean and Japanese players have been particularly successful in recent decades, while American, Australian, Thai, Swedish and British players also feature prominently.

This diversity is reflected in the tour's global schedule and gives the LPGA a truly international flavour that is unmatched by any other professional golf circuit. By comparison, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour have more geographically concentrated fields.

The Solheim Cup

The Solheim Cup is the women's equivalent of the Ryder Cup - a biennial team competition between Europe and the United States. First played in 1990, the Solheim Cup has grown into one of the most exciting events in women's golf, featuring passionate crowds, dramatic matches and intense rivalry. The most recent edition, at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands in September 2026, went to Europe by 15 points to 13.

Qualifying for the Solheim Cup through LPGA Tour performance is a major motivation for players on both sides, and the event consistently delivers memorable moments.

How to Follow the LPGA Tour Live

With events spread across multiple time zones, a good live leaderboard on your phone is the easiest way to keep up.

GolfMode is being built for exactly that. The app is not out yet, but you can join the waitlist.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many majors are there on the LPGA Tour?

The LPGA Tour recognises five major championships: the Chevron Championship, U.S. Women's Open, Women's PGA Championship, The Evian Championship and the AIG Women's Open.

What is the prize money on the LPGA Tour?

LPGA Tour purses have grown significantly in recent years. The 2026 U.S. Women's Open paid a record $12.5 million, and the 2024 season finale, the CME Group Tour Championship, gave its winner $4 million. Purses remain below PGA Tour levels.

Who is the greatest LPGA player of all time?

This is a matter of debate, but Annika Sorenstam is frequently cited as the greatest women's golfer ever, with 72 LPGA victories and ten major championships. Other all-time greats include Kathy Whitworth (88 LPGA wins, the most by any player, man or woman, on a single tour), Mickey Wright (82) and Patty Berg.

Can men play on the LPGA Tour?

No. The LPGA Tour is exclusively for women. The men's equivalent circuits are the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.

GolfMode is coming soon. Join the waitlist to follow the LPGA Tour live when it launches.