Hubbry Logo
Chevron ChampionshipChevron ChampionshipMain
Open search
Chevron Championship
Community hub
Chevron Championship
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Chevron Championship
Chevron Championship
Chevron Championship
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

The Chevron Championship is a professional women's golf tournament. An event on the LPGA Tour, it is one of the tour's five major championships, and has traditionally been the first of the season since its elevation to major status in 1983. Since 2023, it has been played on the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas.

Key Information

Founded in 1972 by singer and actress Dinah Shore and Colgate-Palmolive chairman David Foster, it was played at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, from its inception through 2022. Sometimes referred to as The Dinah Shore in deference to its founder, the tournament has had many official sponsored titles, all of which included Shore's name until 2000. The tournament relocated to the Greater Houston area in 2023 due to a new sponsorship agreement with Chevron Corporation.

The championship's time at Mission Hills is associated with several traditions; in 1988, Amy Alcott established a tradition of the event's champion diving into the pond that surrounds the 18th hole (a tradition that would be carried over to The Woodlands), while an annual women's festival that originally coincidined with the championship has been held since 1991, attracting a large number of female tourists to the Rancho Mirage area.

History

[edit]

Founded in 1972 by Colgate-Palmolive chairman David Foster,[1][2] and entertainer Dinah Shore,[3] the championship has been classified as a major since 1983.[4] Since its inception, it has been held annually at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, southeast of Palm Springs.[3] It is the first major of the year, usually played in late March or early April.

At its debut in 1972 as a 54-hole event, it was the richest event in women's golf;[3][5][6] its purse was more than double that of the LPGA Championship or the U.S. Women's Open. The first edition invited all winners of tour events from the previous ten seasons.[3]

After over twenty years of sponsorship by Nabisco, and parent company Kraft Foods, Japanese airline All Nippon Airways became the title sponsor of the tournament in late 2014, renaming the tournament the ANA Inspiration (in reference to its slogan "Inspiration of Japan").[7]

In October 2021, a six-year sponsorship agreement with energy company Chevron Corporation was announced that would see the tournament renamed The Chevron Championship, with an increased prize fund of $5 million in 2022, up from $3 million in 2021. It was also announced that the tournament would move to the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at The Club at Carlton Woods in the Greater Houston area in 2023, with a change of dates. Dinah Shore's daughter Melissa Montgomery established an advisory board to oversee the tournament's transition.[8][9]

Officials intend the date change to allow for network television coverage on NBC,[8][9] it has also been suggested that the tournament was moved in deference to the Augusta National Women's Amateur, which had begun to conflict with the tournament in 2019.[10]

Tournament names

[edit]
Years Tournament name
1972–1980 Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner's Circle
1981 Colgate-Dinah Shore
1982 Nabisco Dinah Shore Invitational
1983–1999 Nabisco Dinah Shore
2000–2001 Nabisco Championship
2002–2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship
2015–2021 ANA Inspiration
from 2022 The Chevron Championship
Informally, it is commonly referred to as "the Dinah Shore,"
even though her name was removed from the official title in 2000.
The winner's trophy bears Shore's name.

"Poppie's Pond"

[edit]

From 1988 to 2022, the winner traditionally celebrated her victory by jumping in the pond surrounding the 18th green.[11] The pond is known as Champions Lake or "Poppie's Pond" as it was dubbed in 2006 honor of Terry Wilcox, the tournament director from 1994 through 2008; Wilcox is known as "Poppie" to his grandchildren.[12]

Amy Alcott established the tradition in 1988 to celebrate her second win here,[13] and repeated in 1991, including tournament host Dinah Shore.[14] It was not embraced by others until 1994, when Donna Andrews made the leap, followed by Nanci Bowen the next year, and it became an annual tradition.[15][16] In 1998, winner Pat Hurst waded in only up to her knees, as she could not swim.[17][18][19][20] Originally a very natural water hazard, the portion near the bridge was later lined with concrete and has treated water, more like a swimming pool.[21]

The tradition was carried over to The Woodlands; the lake between the 9th and 18th holes was dredged, cleaned, and had netting installed to protect against alligators, and a dock and ladder was built on the 18th hole.[22] Prior to the 2023 tournament, several players expressed uncertainty over whether they would take the jump—now into a natural lake instead of the treated pool used in Mission Hills.[22] Its first champion, Lilia Vu, would take the jump into the lake.[23]

Associated events

[edit]
Main article: Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend

A women's festival known as the Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend has been held in the city of Palm Springs, California, featuring concerts by female musicians, comedy shows, parties, and other events and networking opportunities. The Dinah Shore Weekend was first organized in 1991 by promoter Mariah Hanson; it expanded upon afterparties that had become associated with the Dinah Shore tournament, and, until 2021, was held in the same week.[24][25]

A large number of lesbians and bisexual women visited the Palm Springs area for the festival and tournament;[24][25] the Dinah Shore Weekend was described by Los Angeles as the "largest annual gathering of queer women and their female allies",[26] while the tournament as a whole had been described as "spring break for lesbians."[27][28] The event continues to be held annually in Palm Springs; ahead of the tournament's relocation, the festival moved to an autumn scheduling beginning in 2021 due to weather conditions and lower hotel costs.[29][30]

Winners

[edit]
See also: List of Chevron Championship winners
Year Dates Champion Country Score To par Margin
of victory		 Purse
($)		 Winner's
share ($)
2025 Apr 24–27 Mao Saigo  Japan 70-68-69-74 281 −7 Playoff 8,000,000 1,200,000
2024 Apr 18–21 Nelly Korda  United States 68-69-69-69 275 −13 2 strokes 7,900,000 1,200,000
2023 Apr 20–23 Lilia Vu  United States 68-69-73-68 278 −10 Playoff 5,100,000 765,000
2022 Mar 31 – Apr 3 Jennifer Kupcho  United States 66-70-64-74 274 −14 2 strokes 5,000,000 750,000
2021 Apr 1–4 Patty Tavatanakit  Thailand 66-69-67-68 270 −18 2 strokes 3,100,000 465,000
2020 Sep 10–13 Mirim Lee  South Korea 70-65-71-67 273 −15 Playoff 3,100,000 465,000
2019 Apr 4–7 Ko Jin-young  South Korea 69-71-68-70 278 −10 3 strokes 3,000,000 450,000
2018 Mar 29 – Apr 2^ Pernilla Lindberg  Sweden 65-67-70-71 273 −15 Playoff 2,800,000 420,000
2017 Mar 30 – Apr 2 Ryu So-yeon  South Korea 68-69-69-68 274 −14 Playoff 2,700,000 405,000
2016 Mar 31 – Apr 3 Lydia Ko  New Zealand 70-68-69-69 276 −12 1 stroke 2,600,000 390,000
2015 Apr 2–5 Brittany Lincicome (2)  United States 72-68-70-69 279 −9 Playoff 2,500,000 375,000
2014 Apr 3–6 Lexi Thompson  United States 73-64-69-68 274 −14 3 strokes 2,000,000 300,000
2013 Apr 4–7 Inbee Park  South Korea 70-67-67-69 273 −15 4 strokes 2,000,000 300,000
2012 Mar 29 – Apr 1 Sun-Young Yoo  South Korea 69-69-72-69 279 −9 Playoff 2,000,000 300,000
2011 Mar 31 – Apr 3 Stacy Lewis  United States 66-69-71-69 275 −13 3 strokes 2,000,000 300,000
2010 Apr 1–4 Yani Tseng  Taiwan 69-71-67-68 275 −13 1 stroke 2,000,000 300,000
2009 Apr 2–5 Brittany Lincicome  United States 66-74-70-69 279 −9 1 stroke 2,000,000 300,000
2008 Apr 3–6 Lorena Ochoa  Mexico 68-71-71-67 277 −11 5 strokes 2,000,000 300,000
2007 Mar 29 – Apr 1 Morgan Pressel  United States 74-72-70-69 285 −3 1 stroke 2,000,000 300,000
2006 Mar 30 – Apr 2 Karrie Webb (2)  Australia 70-68-76-65 279 −9 Playoff 1,800,000 270,000
2005 Mar 24–27 Annika Sörenstam (3)  Sweden 70-69-66-68 273 −15 8 strokes 1,800,000 270,000
2004 Mar 25–28 Grace Park  South Korea 72-69-67-69 277 −11 1 stroke 1,600,000 240,000
2003 Mar 27–30 Patricia Meunier-Lebouc  France 70-68-70-73 281 −7 1 stroke 1,600,000 240,000
2002 Mar 28–31 Annika Sörenstam (2)  Sweden 70-71-71-68 280 −8 1 stroke 1,500,000 225,000
2001 Mar 22–25 Annika Sörenstam  Sweden 72-70-70-69 281 −7 3 strokes 1,500,000 225,000
2000 Mar 23–26 Karrie Webb  Australia 67-70-67-70 274 −14 10 strokes 1,250,000 187,500
1999 Mar 25–28 Dottie Pepper (2)  United States 70-66-67-66 269 −19 6 strokes 1,000,000 150,000
1998 Mar 26–29 Pat Hurst  United States 68-72-70-71 281 −7 1 stroke 1,000,000 150,000
1997 Mar 27–30 Betsy King (3)  United States 71-67-67-71 276 −12 2 strokes 900,000 135,000
1996 Mar 28–31 Patty Sheehan  United States 71-72-67-71 281 −7 1 stroke 900,000 135,000
1995 Mar 23–26 Nanci Bowen  United States 69-75-71-70 285 −3 1 stroke 850,000 127,500
1994 Mar 24–27 Donna Andrews  United States 70-69-67-70 276 −12 2 strokes 700,000 105,000
1993 Mar 25–28 Helen Alfredsson  Sweden 69-71-72-72 284 −4 2 strokes 700,000 105,000
1992 Mar 26–29 Dottie Mochrie  United States 69-71-70-69 279 −9 Playoff 700,000 105,000
1991 Mar 28–31 Amy Alcott (3)  United States 67-70-68-68 273 −15 8 strokes 600,000 90,000
1990 Mar 29 – Apr 1 Betsy King (2)  United States 69-70-69-75 283 −5 2 strokes 600,000 90,000
1989 Mar 30 – Apr 2 Juli Inkster (2)  United States 66-69-73-71 279 −9 5 strokes 500,000 80,000
1988 Mar 31 – Apr 3 Amy Alcott (2)  United States 71-66-66-71 274 −14 2 strokes 500,000 80,000
1987 Apr 2–5 Betsy King  United States 68-75-72-68 283 −5 Playoff 500,000 80,000
1986 Apr 3–6 Pat Bradley  United States 68-72-69-71 280 −8 2 strokes 430,000 75,000
1985 Apr 4–7 Alice Miller  United States 70-68-70-67 275 −13 3 strokes 400,000 55,000
1984 Apr 5–8 Juli Inkster  United States 70-73-69-68 280 −8 Playoff 400,000 55,000
1983 Mar 31 – Apr 3 Amy Alcott  United States 70-70-70-72 282 −6 2 strokes 400,000 55,000

^ Play extended one day due to darkness.
Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.

Winners as a non-major

[edit]
Year Champion Country Score To par Margin
of victory		 Purse
($)		 Winner's
share ($)
1982 Sally Little South Africa 76-67-71-64 278 −10 3 strokes 300,000 45,000
1981 Nancy Lopez  United States 71-73-69-64 277 −11 2 strokes 250,000 37,500
1980 Donna Caponi  United States 71-67-66-71 275 −13 2 strokes 250,000 37,500
1979 Sandra Post (2)  Canada 68-70-68-70 276 −12 1 stroke 250,000 37,500
1978 Sandra Post  Canada 65-75-72-72 283 −5 Playoff 240,000 36,000
1977 Kathy Whitworth  United States 76-70-72-71 289 +1 1 stroke 240,000 36,000
1976 Judy Rankin  United States 74-72-71-68 285 −3 3 strokes 185,000 32,000
1975 Sandra Palmer  United States 70-70-70-73 283 −5 1 stroke 180,000 32,000
1974 Jo Ann Prentice  United States 71-71-74-73 289 +1 Playoff 179,000 32,000
1973 Mickey Wright  United States 71-74-71-68 284 −4 2 strokes 135,000 25,000
1972 Jane Blalock  United States 71-70-72 213 −3 3 strokes 110,000 20,050

Multiple champions

[edit]

Multiple winners of the event as a major championship.

Champion Country Total Years
Amy Alcott  United States 3 1983, 1988, 1991
Betsy King  United States 3 1987, 1990, 1997
Annika Sörenstam ‡  Sweden 3 2001, 2002, 2005
Juli Inkster ‡  United States 2 1984, 1989
Dottie Pepper  United States 2 1992, 1999
Karrie Webb ‡  Australia 2 2000, 2006
Brittany Lincicome  United States 2 2009, 2015
Career Grand Slam winners ‡

Through 2025, the only successful defense of the title (as a major) was by Sörenstam in 2002.[31]

Tournament records

[edit]
Year Player Score Round[33]
2021 Lydia Ko 62 (−10) 4th
2006 Lorena Ochoa 62 (−10) 1st

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Chevron Championship

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Chevron Championship is a professional women's golf tournament on the Tour, recognized as one of its five major championships and serving as the season's first major. Established in 1972 as the Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner's Circle at Mission Hills Country Club in , the event gained major status in 1983 and remained at that venue through 2022. In 2023, it relocated to The Club at Carlton Woods in , where it was held through 2025 on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course measuring 6,911 yards, par 72. Starting in 2026, it will move to Memorial Park Golf Course in , a municipal course redesigned by Tom Doak that also hosts the PGA Tour's Texas Children's Houston Open, with the event scheduled for April 23–26. The tournament has undergone several name changes reflecting its sponsors, including the Dinah Shore from 1982 to 1999, the Kraft Nabisco Championship from 2000 to 2010, and the ANA Inspiration from 2011 to 2021, before adopting its current title under Chevron sponsorship starting in 2022. Chevron's involvement has significantly boosted the event's profile, with the purse increasing from $3.1 million in 2021 to $5 million in 2022, $7.9 million in 2024, and $8 million in 2025, making it one of the richest in women's golf. Notable aspects include its tradition of a champion's victory dip into the 18th green's pond—initiated by Amy Alcott in 1988—and the Aon Risk Reward Challenge on the par-5 18th hole, which awards bonus points to the LPGA's season-long standings. Among its 54 editions as of 2025, the tournament has produced multiple three-time winners in Annika Sörenstam (2001, 2002, 2005), Betsy King (1987, 1990, 1997), and Amy Alcott (1983, 1988, 1991), highlighting its prestige and competitive legacy. The 2025 event, held April 24–27, was won by Japan's Mao Saigo at 7-under par, earning her $1.2 million and marking the largest playoff in major history.

Overview

Tournament significance

The Chevron Championship stands as one of the five major championships in women's professional on the Tour, having earned its major designation in 1983 while tracing its origins to the inaugural Colgate- Winner's Circle held in 1972. As the season's opening major, typically contested in late April, it holds a prestigious position in the calendar, drawing the world's top female golfers and serving as a marquee event that often sets the tone for the year's competitive landscape. Its historical prestige is underscored by a legacy of elevating players to legendary status, with the embodying the spirit of excellence pioneered by its namesake founder, , whose vision transformed it into a of the sport. In 2025, the event featured a total purse of $8 million, with the claiming $1.2 million, reflecting its status as one of the richest competitions in women's and attracting an elite, invitation-only field of 132 players comprising LPGA Tour winners, top-ranked professionals, and international qualifiers. This selective format ensures a high level of competition, emphasizing skill and consistency on a challenging course layout that has evolved while preserving the tournament's demanding nature. A hallmark of its significance is the unique tradition of the winner receiving the Dinah Shore Trophy, personally presented by Shore to victors each year until her passing in 1994, symbolizing the event's deep ties to golf's pioneering figures. Complementing this is the celebratory ritual of leaping into Poppie's Pond adjacent to the 18th green—a custom initiated by Amy Alcott following her 1988 victory at the then-Nabisco Dinah Shore, which has since become an iconic moment of triumph and joy for champions across decades.

Current format and eligibility

The Chevron Championship is contested over 72 holes of across four days, with the field typically comprising 132 players. After the second round, a cut is made to the low scores and ties, allowing those players to advance to the weekend rounds. The tournament is usually scheduled for late March or early April each year, aligning with the early portion of the LPGA Tour season; the 2025 edition took place from April 24 to 27 at The Club at Carlton Woods in . Eligibility for the event is open to all Tour members, with additional spots allocated to the top players on the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings, recent Tour winners, past champions of the Chevron Championship (lifetime exemption), Tour Hall of Fame members, select international professionals such as the leading JLPGA player not otherwise qualified, sponsor exemptions, and elite amateurs. In the event of a tie after 72 holes, a sudden-death playoff determines the winner, beginning on the 18th hole and continuing hole-by-hole until a emerges. The has not featured a 36-hole qualifying round since 1979, relying instead on the exemption categories for field selection.

History

Origins and establishment

The Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner's Circle was established in 1972 through a collaboration between , the , and Mission Hills Country Club in , under the leadership of Colgate chairman and entertainer . Shore, an avid er and television star, provided the inspiration for the event, lending her name and celebrity appeal to elevate the profile of women's professional at a time when the LPGA struggled for visibility and funding. The tournament was designed as a high-profile invitational to attract attention and sponsorship, with proceeds initially benefiting local causes like Desert Hospital and the United Fund. In its inaugural year, the event featured a 54-hole stroke-play format limited to a select field of women professionals who had finished in the top three of other tournaments that season, marking it as an elite gathering rather than a fully open competition. It included a prominent two-day pro-am component with celebrities such as , , and pairing with pros to heighten media interest and attendance. The purse totaled $110,000—the largest in history at the time—doubling the previous high and underscoring Colgate's commitment to boosting women's , with first-place prize money of $20,050 going to winner Jane Blalock after she rallied for a three-stroke victory with a final-round 70. The final two rounds were nationally televised on the Hughes Sports Network, further amplifying its reach. By 1973, the tournament transitioned to a full professional field open to LPGA members, expanding participation and solidifying its status as a marquee event, while the purse increased to $135,000; that year, LPGA legend claimed victory for her record 82nd and final tour win, defeating the field by two strokes in a performance that highlighted the event's growing prestige. The format evolved to 72 holes in subsequent years to align with major championship standards, and by 1979, a 36-hole cut was introduced to manage the larger fields as entry grew. Sandra Post captured the title that season with a one-stroke victory over , closing with a 12-under total of 276 amid increasing competition and purses that reached $250,000 by 1979, reflecting the tournament's rapid ascent as a cornerstone of the schedule.

Sponsorship and name changes

The Chevron Championship, one of the Tour's major championships, has undergone several name changes tied to its corporate sponsors, reflecting the tournament's evolution and financial growth since its inception in 1972. Initially sponsored by under the leadership of CEO , the event was known as the Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner's Circle from 1972 to 1980, followed by the Colgate-Dinah Shore in 1981; this sponsorship introduced a groundbreaking $110,000 purse in its debut year, the largest on the Tour at the time. In 1982, assumed title sponsorship, renaming the tournament the Dinah Shore Invitational that year and then the Dinah Shore from 1983 to 1999, with the purse rising to $300,000 amid expanded national television coverage. The name shifted to the Championship in 2000–2001 after sponsor Philip Morris acquired Holdings and removed entertainer 's name from the title. Following the 2000 merger of with under Philip Morris, the event became the Kraft Nabisco Championship from 2002 to 2014, during which the purse exceeded $2 million by the mid-2000s, underscoring the stabilizing impact of long-term corporate backing. All Nippon Airways (ANA) took over as title sponsor in 2015 through a five-year deal extended to 2021, rebranding the tournament the ANA Inspiration and elevating the purse to $3 million by 2020 while emphasizing themes of inspiration aligned with the airline's branding. In October 2021, Chevron Corporation announced a six-year title sponsorship beginning in 2022, fully rebranding the event as the Chevron Championship and boosting the purse by over 60% to $5 million, a figure that has since grown to $8 million by 2025; this transition marked the end of ANA's contract and highlighted how successive sponsorships have driven the tournament's purse from around $170,000 in 1982 to its current multimillion-dollar scale, enhancing its prestige and player participation.

Venue evolution

The Chevron Championship was hosted at the Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club in , from its inception in 1972 through 2022, spanning 51 editions on a par-72 layout measuring 6,763 yards. This long-term arrangement provided a stable venue that became synonymous with the event's traditions, including the champion's celebratory dive into Poppie's Pond adjacent to the 18th green. In 2023, the tournament relocated to the Signature Course at The Club at Carlton Woods in , a par-72 course playing to 6,911 yards, where it remained through 2025. The move followed the expiration of the prior sponsorship agreement with ANA Inspiration and aligned with a new multi-year title sponsorship from , whose headquarters are in nearby , facilitating greater corporate involvement and enhanced event operations. The selection of Carlton Woods emphasized improved facilities for players and spectators, including expanded amenities and better accessibility compared to the aging infrastructure at Mission Hills after five decades of use. Logistically, the shift allowed for a larger field size and more robust hospitality options, though it marked the end of the era amid some player sentimentality over the venue change. Notably, the 2020 and 2021 editions at Mission Hills proceeded without spectators due to restrictions, altering the typical electric atmosphere and contributing to discussions on post-pandemic event adaptations before the relocation. On January 7, 2026, it was announced that starting in 2026, the tournament will relocate to Memorial Park Golf Course, a municipal course in Houston, Texas, redesigned by Tom Doak. The event is scheduled for April 23–26, 2026, approximately one month after the PGA Tour's Texas Children's Houston Open at the same venue, which is set for March 26–29, 2026.

Attainment of major status

Prior to 1983, the Colgate Dinah Shore Winner's Circle, established in 1972, was regarded as one of the Tour's most prestigious events due to its large purse and star-studded fields, but it lacked official major championship designation. The tournament attracted elite competitors, exemplified by JoAnne Carner's victory in 1974, which highlighted its growing significance in women's professional golf. In 1983, the LPGA elevated the Nabisco Dinah Shore to major status, establishing it as the fourth major alongside the U.S. Women's Open, du Maurier Classic, and Championship, a move that recognized its consistent high-level competition and substantial prize money of $400,000. This designation, starting with Amy Alcott's win that year, formalized its place in the sport's elite tier and introduced traditions like the champion's ceremonial jump into the 18th green pond. Following the du Maurier Classic's conclusion as a major after the 2000 edition, the assumed major status in 2001, expanding the calendar to five majors and cementing the successor—then the Championship—as the season's inaugural major. The 2013 elevation of the to full parity with the other majors further solidified this positioning, enhancing the overall structure of women's majors and underscoring the tournament's role as the "first major" of the year. The attainment and maintenance of major status have amplified the event's global appeal, particularly during the ANA Inspiration era from 2018 to 2021, when sponsorship by drew a more international field, including top talents from and in fields exceeding 110 players. This prestige also provides the winner with 100 points in the system, significantly impacting a player's trajectory and eligibility for future events.

Course and hosting

Current venue details

The Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at The Club at Carlton Woods in , has hosted the Chevron Championship since 2023 and will continue through 2025, with a relocation to Memorial Park Golf Course in scheduled for 2026. Memorial Park Golf Course is a municipal facility in Houston that underwent a significant redesign by architect Tom Doak in 2019. For the 2026 Chevron Championship, scheduled for April 23-26, the course will play as a par 72 measuring 6,692 yards. It also hosts the PGA Tour's Texas Children's Houston Open, set for March 26-29, 2026, approximately one month prior to the major championship. Designed by and opened in 2001, the 18-hole layout plays as a par 72 at 6,911 yards for the event, with TifEagle greens cut to 0.095 inches. The course presents strategic challenges through water hazards in play on nine holes and 62 sand bunkers strategically placed to guard fairways and greens. Signature elements include the par-5 18th hole, a reachable 518-yard finisher with a lake along the left side of the fairway and an angled green favoring a draw shot, often creating dramatic conclusions. Event operations feature official practice on (closed to the public) and (open with tickets), a private pro-am on Tuesday, and championship rounds Thursday through Sunday. Broadcast coverage airs on for Rounds 1 and 2, for Rounds 3 and 4, and streams via Peacock and with featured group feeds. The 2025 edition ended with a sudden-death playoff on the 18th hole, where Mao Saigo birdied to win her first major from a five-way tie at 7-under.

Past venues and notable features

The Chevron Championship was primarily hosted at the Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club in , from 1972 to 2022, accommodating 51 editions of the event. Designed by Desmond Muirhead in 1970, the par-72 layout originally measured around 6,400 yards and underwent gradual lengthening to reach 6,769 yards by the tournament's final years there, adapting to evolving professional standards while preserving its parkland character with strategic bunkering and water hazards. A defining feature of the Mission Hills era was Poppie's Pond, a concrete-lined lake surrounding the island green on the par-5 18th hole, which served as the dramatic finale for many championships. Named in after longtime director Terry Wilcox—affectionately called "Poppie" by his grandchildren—the pond became synonymous with triumphant celebrations. The pond-jumping tradition originated in 1988 when Amy Alcott, securing her fourth major victory, impulsively leaped into the water with her caddie after holing her final putt, marking the first such immersion and inspiring a that symbolized unbridled joy in women's golf. Though initially sporadic, the practice gained momentum from 1994 onward, with more than 20 winners—often joined by caddies, family, or fellow champions—following suit over the subsequent decades, creating indelible moments captured in tournament lore. No other venues served as permanent hosts during this period, underscoring Mission Hills' enduring role in the tournament's identity. The tradition's legacy persisted symbolically after the 2023 relocation, where a new water feature at The Club at Carlton Woods echoes Poppie's Pond's celebratory spirit.

Winners and achievements

Complete list of champions

The Chevron Championship, established in 1972, has crowned 54 champions through 2025, with winners determined by over 72 holes except for the inaugural event, which was shortened to 54 holes due to . The tournament has featured 14 playoff decisions, most recently a five-way sudden-death playoff in 2025 won by Mao Saigo. There have been seven wire-to-wire victories since it attained major status in 1983: Pat Bradley (1986), Betsy King (1987), (1989), Amy Alcott (1991), (1992), Lorena Ochoa (2008), and (2016). The winner's share has grown significantly from $20,050 in 1972 to $1,200,000 in 2025, reflecting the event's rising prestige and purse escalation to a total of $8 million in 2025.
YearWinnerNationalityScoreTo ParMarginNotes
1972Jane BlalockUSA213-33 strokes54-hole event due to weather
1973Mickey WrightUSA284-42 strokes
1974Jo Ann PrenticeUSA289+1PlayoffDef. Jane Blalock and Sandra Haynie on 4th extra hole
1975Sandra PalmerUSA283-56 strokes
1976Judy RankinUSA285-32 strokes
1977Kathy WhitworthUSA289+11 stroke
1978Sandra PostCanada283-5PlayoffDef. Penny Pulz on 2nd extra hole
1979Sandra PostCanada276-121 stroke
1980Donna CaponiUSA275-132 strokes
1981Nancy LopezUSA277-112 strokes
1982Sally LittleSouth Africa278-101 stroke
1983Amy AlcottUSA282-63 strokesFirst as major
1984Juli InksterUSA280-8PlayoffDef. Pat Bradley on 1st extra hole
1985Alice MillerUSA275-132 strokes
1986Pat BradleyUSA280-81 strokeWire-to-wire
1987Betsy KingUSA283-5PlayoffDef. Patty Sheehan on 1st extra hole; wire-to-wire
1988Amy AlcottUSA274-142 strokes
1989Juli InksterUSA279-92 strokesWire-to-wire
1990Betsy KingUSA283-51 stroke
1991Amy AlcottUSA273-157 strokesWire-to-wire
1992Dottie PepperUSA279-9PlayoffDef. Juli Inkster on 3rd extra hole; wire-to-wire
1993Helen AlfredssonSweden284-42 strokes
1994Donna AndrewsUSA276-121 stroke
1995Nanci BowenUSA285-31 stroke
1996Patty SheehanUSA281-71 stroke
1997Betsy KingUSA276-121 stroke
1998Pat HurstUSA281-73 strokes
1999Dottie PepperUSA269-196 strokes
2000Karrie WebbAustralia274-145 strokes
2001Annika SorenstamSweden281-73 strokes
2002Annika SorenstamSweden280-81 stroke
2003Patricia Meunier-LeboucFrance281-71 stroke
2004Grace ParkSouth Korea277-111 stroke
2005Annika SorenstamSweden273-158 strokes
2006Karrie WebbAustralia279-9PlayoffDef. Lorena Ochoa on 3rd extra hole
2007Morgan PresselUSA285-31 stroke
2008Lorena OchoaMexico277-115 strokesWire-to-wire
2009Brittany LincicomeUSA279-91 stroke
2010Yani TsengTaiwan275-131 stroke
2011Stacy LewisUSA275-133 strokes
2012Sun Young YooSouth Korea279-9PlayoffDef. In-Kyung Kim on 3rd extra hole
2013Inbee ParkSouth Korea273-154 strokes
2014Lexi ThompsonUSA274-143 strokes
2015Brittany LincicomeUSA279-9PlayoffDef. Stacy Lewis on 3rd extra hole
2016Lydia KoNew Zealand276-121 strokeWire-to-wire
2017So Yeon RyuSouth Korea274-14PlayoffDef. Lexi Thompson on 3rd extra hole
2018Pernilla LindbergSweden273-15PlayoffDef. Inbee Park and Jennifer Song on 6th extra hole
2019Jin Young KoSouth Korea278-103 strokes
2020Mirim LeeSouth Korea283-5PlayoffDef. Nelly Korda and Brooke M. Henderson on 2nd extra hole
2021Patty TavatanakitThailand270-182 strokes
2022Jennifer KupchoUSA274-141 stroke
2023Lilia VuUSA278-10PlayoffDef. Angel Yin on 3rd extra hole
2024Nelly KordaUSA275-133 strokes
2025Mao SaigoJapan281-7PlayoffDef. Hyo Joo Kim, Ruoning Yin, Lindy Duncan, Ariya Jutanugarn in 5-way sudden death

Multiple-time winners

Eight players have secured multiple victories in the Chevron Championship, collectively accounting for 19 of the tournament's 54 titles since its inception in 1972, underscoring their pivotal role in elevating the event's status as a cornerstone LPGA major. These repeat champions demonstrate sustained excellence on the challenging Dinah Shore Tournament Course and its successors, often under varying sponsorship eras from Colgate-Dinah Shore to the current Chevron branding. The record for most wins is three, shared by Amy Alcott (1983, 1988, 1991), Betsy King (1987, 1990, 1997), and Annika Sörenstam (2001, 2002, 2005). Alcott's triumphs spanned the early major era, with her 1988 victory at the famously launching the tradition of champions leaping into Poppie's Pond adjacent to the 18th green—a spontaneous celebration that has since become an iconic ritual symbolizing joy and triumph in women's . King's wins highlighted her consistency in the late 1980s and 1990s, contributing to her broader legacy of 20 victories and three major titles overall. Sörenstam's three conquests exemplified her unparalleled dominance during the Nabisco and Kraft Nabisco phases, including the only back-to-back major wins in tournament history (2001–2002), where she posted scores of 281 and 280, respectively, en route to a career total of 10 majors. Five players have claimed two titles each: Sandra Post (1978, 1979), (1984, 1989), (1992, 1999), (2000, 2006), and (2009, 2015). Post's consecutive pre-major successes in the late marked an early highlight of Canadian excellence in the event. Inkster's victories bolstered her Hall of Fame resume, forming part of seven major championships and showcasing her longevity across three decades of competition. Pepper's wins in the reflected her aggressive style, while Webb and Lincicome added to the tournament's international flavor, with Lincicome's 2015 playoff triumph standing as the most recent repeat victory.
PlayerWinsYears
Amy Alcott31983, 1988, 1991
Betsy King31987, 1990, 1997
Annika Sörenstam32001, 2002, 2005
Sandra Post21978, 1979
21984, 1989
21992, 1999
22000, 2006
22009, 2015
These multi-time champions have not only shaped competitive benchmarks but also enriched the Chevron Championship's legacy through memorable performances and cultural traditions, reinforcing its prestige among the LPGA's five majors.

Pre-major era winners

The pre-major era of the Chevron Championship, spanning to 1982, featured the tournament under names such as the Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner's Circle and Colgate-Dinah Shore, establishing it as a premier event on the Tour despite lacking official major status until 1983. Launched with a groundbreaking $110,000 purse in —the largest in women's professional at the time—the event drew a strong field of members and select invitees, including some non-tour professionals and amateurs, underscoring its invitational prestige and role in elevating the visibility of women's . Over these 11 editions, the tournament produced diverse champions, with an average winning margin of approximately 2.5 strokes, often decided by playoffs or narrow leads that highlighted the competitive intensity on the Mission Hills Country Club course. The era's winners included Hall of Famers and emerging talents who contributed to the tournament's growing reputation. Jane Blalock claimed the inaugural title in 1972 with a three-round score of 213, edging out Carol Mann and Judy Rankin by three strokes in a 54-hole format. Mickey Wright's 1973 victory at 284 strokes, two ahead of Joyce Kazmierski, marked her record 82nd and final Tour win, adding legendary cachet to the event. Playoffs defined several outcomes, such as Jo Ann Prentice's 1974 triumph at 289 after defeating Blalock and Sandra Haynie in sudden-death, and Sandra Post's 1978 win at 283 over Penny Pulz. Post repeated in 1979 at 276, becoming the era's only multiple champion and the first Canadian-born winner. Other notable victories included Sandra Palmer's dominant 1975 performance at 283 (six strokes clear of JoAnne Carner), Judy Rankin's 1976 score of 285, Kathy Whitworth's 1977 title at 289, Donna Caponi's record-setting 1980 total of 275 (13-under par), Nancy Lopez's 1981 birdie-filled 277, and Sally Little's 1982 finish at 278.
YearWinnerScore (To Par)Margin/Notes
1972Jane Blalock213 (-3)3 strokes over Mann and Rankin (54 holes)
1973284 (-4)2 strokes over Kazmierski
1974Jo Ann Prentice289 (+1)Playoff over Blalock and Haynie
1975Sandra Palmer283 (-5)6 strokes over Carner
1976Judy Rankin285 (-3)2 strokes over Burfeindt
1977289 (+1)1 stroke over Carner and Little
1978Sandra Post283 (-5)Playoff over Pulz (2 holes)
1979Sandra Post276 (-12)1 stroke over Lopez
1980Donna Caponi275 (-13)2 strokes over Carner
1981277 (-11)2 strokes over Carner
1982Sally Little278 (-10)1 stroke over Stacy and Haynie
These early champions, many of whom had already secured LPGA majors elsewhere—like (four titles) and (seven)—helped build the tournament's allure through their star power and performances, fostering greater media attention and sponsorship interest that positioned it as a major. The 1982 shift to sponsorship, increasing the purse to $300,000, signaled the event's impending elevation, as LPGA officials recognized its consistent quality and influence in attracting top talent and audiences.

Records and statistics

Scoring and performance records

The Chevron Championship has produced several standout scoring performances since its inception in 1972. The lowest 72-hole total in tournament history is 269 (−19), set by Dottie Pepper during the 1999 Nabisco Dinah Shore at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California. This mark stands as the record for both the overall event and its era as a major championship (since 1983), highlighting the birdie-friendly nature of the Dinah Shore Tournament Course during that period. In the pre-major years (1972–1982), scores were generally higher due to varying course setups and conditions, with the lowest total being 275 (−13) by Donna Caponi in 1980. The largest margin of victory in the tournament's history is 10 strokes, achieved by in the 2000 Kraft Championship, where she finished at 274 (−14). This dominant performance included a hole-in-one on the final day and remains the benchmark for wire-to-lead consistency in the event. Pre-major margins were typically smaller, with no victory exceeding 6 strokes; for example, won the 1977 Colgate by 1 stroke at 289 (+1). Single-round scoring records underscore the potential for low scores on the par-72 layout. The lowest round is 62 (−10), first shot by in the opening round of the 2006 Kraft Nabisco Championship—a bogey-free effort with 10 birdies—and matched by in the final round of the 2021 ANA Inspiration. Multiple players have posted 63 (−9), including Ochoa in subsequent appearances and several others, often featuring extended birdie runs on the back nine. Birdie records include 10 in a single round, tied to those 62s, with no verified instance exceeding that in regulation play. Since attaining major status in 1983, winning scores have averaged approximately −11 under par across 43 editions, reflecting a balance between scoring opportunities and strategic challenges on host courses. The event has seen 7 wire-to-wire winners in this period: Pat Bradley (1986), Betsy King (1987), (1989), Amy Alcott (1991), Pat Hurst (1998), (2000), and (2016). These feats demonstrate sustained leadership from the opening round, often culminating in margins of 2–4 strokes.

Playoff and other notable records

The Chevron Championship has featured 10 playoffs since attaining major status in 1983, all resolved via sudden-death format beginning on the 18th hole at Mission Hills Country Club (or the equivalent finishing hole at other venues). These include notable multi-player contests, with the 2025 edition marking the largest in LPGA major history as a five-way sudden-death playoff involving Mao Saigo, Hyo Joo Kim, Ruoning Yin, Ariya Jutanugarn, and Lindy Duncan. Saigo, the 2024 LPGA Rookie of the Year, secured the victory with the lone birdie on the first playoff hole at the par-5 18th. Other significant playoffs include the 2020 three-way tie resolved by Mirim Lee with a birdie on the first extra hole against Nelly Korda and Brooke Henderson, and the 2023 two-player matchup won by Lilia Vu over Angel Yin on the second extra hole. Among the tournament's miscellaneous records, holds the mark for most appearances by a , competing in 30 consecutive editions from 1983 to 2012, during which she claimed victories in 1984 and 1989. Inkster's longevity underscores the event's prestige, as she also participated in the tournament prior to its major era. International players have dominated recent history, accounting for approximately 70% of winners since 2000 (18 out of 26 ), reflecting the LPGA's global growth; standout examples include Karrie Webb's back-to-back triumphs in 2000 and 2006, Lydia Ko's wins at age 18 in 2015 and 2016, and multiple Korean victors such as Jin Young Ko (2019) and So Yeon Ryu (2017). The 2025 victory by Mao Saigo marked the first by a Japanese golfer in the event's history, highlighting Asia's rising influence. Notable events beyond standard play include the inaugural 1972 Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner's Circle, shortened to 54 holes due to rain, with Jane Blalock earning the title at 213 (−3). No full-field major edition has been rain-shortened since, though weather delays have occasionally impacted play, as in the 2025 tournament's stormy opening rounds. Demographically, the youngest champion is , who won in 2015 at 18 years and 4 months old, while Betsy King remains the oldest at 41 years and 7 months when she prevailed in 1997. These records emphasize the tournament's blend of endurance, skill, and occasional unpredictability.
YearWinnerPlayoff OpponentsResolution
1984Pat BradleyPar on 1st extra hole
1987Betsy KingPar on 2nd extra hole
1992Dottie Mochrie, Amy BenzPar on 1st extra hole
2006Birdie on 1st extra hole
2012Sun Young Yoo, Birdie on 1st extra hole
2017So Yeon RyuPar on 3rd extra hole
2018Pernilla Lindberg, Jennifer SongBirdie on 6th extra hole
2020Mirim Lee, Birdie on 1st extra hole
2023Birdie on 2nd extra hole
2025Mao SaigoHyo Joo Kim, Ruoning Yin, , Lindy DuncanBirdie on 1st extra hole

References

  1. https://www.lpga.com/tournaments/chevron-championship/overview
  2. https://www.essentiallysports.com/golf-news-why-was-the-location-of-the-chevron-championship-changed-exploring-the-history-updates-and-more/
  3. https://www.lpga.com/news/2026/the-chevron-championship-announces-move-to-houstons-memorial-park-golf-course
  4. https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2024/03/28/new-look-memorial-park-allows-creativity-to-shine-texas-childrens-houston-open-municipal-course-overseed-redesign
  5. https://thegolfnewsnet.com/ryan_ballengee/2025/04/22/the-chevron-championship-history-results-and-past-winners-125718/
  6. http://www.thechevronchampionship.com/news/lpga-and-chevron-to-elevate-extend-major-relationship/
  7. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/lpga-major-ana-inspiration-chevron-championship
  8. https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/44821519/who-won-lpga-chevron-championship-winners-year
  9. https://www.golfcompendium.com/2022/04/chevron-championship-winners-lpga.html
  10. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/heres-prize-money-payout-each-golfer-at-lpga-2025-chevron-championship
  11. http://www.thechevronchampionship.com/news/playing-field-is-set-for-the-chevron-championship/
  12. http://www.thechevronchampionship.com/past-champions/
  13. https://www.lpga.com/news/2025/look-back-at-some-of-the-best-pond-jumps-in-the-history-of-the-chevron-championship
  14. https://www.lpga.com/news/2023/lpga-announces-change-to-tournament-cut-sizes
  15. https://thegolfnewsnet.com/golfnewsnetteam/2025/04/25/2025-the-chevron-championship-format-cut-rules-and-playoff-format-136534/
  16. https://www.lpga.com/news/2025/field-breakdown-2025-chevron-championship
  17. http://www.thechevronchampionship.com/news/ana-inspiration-announces-new-exemption-category-for-leading-jlpga-player/
  18. https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2015/03/31/dinah-shore-golf-tournament-kraft-nabisco-ana-inspiration/70734122/
  19. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/ana-inspiration-50-years
  20. https://www.nbcsports.com/golf/news/dinah-shore-celebrates-50-years-dinahs-legacy-still-shines
  21. https://www.lpga.com/news/2021/ana-inspiration-at-50-generations-of-greatness
  22. https://golfblogger.com/chevron-championship-winners-and-history/
  23. https://www.nytimes.com/1972/04/17/archives/miss-blalock-rallies-to-take-110000-coast-golf-by-3-shots.html
  24. https://rm50th.com/history/great_moments_in_sports.php
  25. https://www.lpga.com/news/2025/on-this-date-mickey-wright-wins-last-tour-title-at-1973-colgate-dinah-shore-winners-circle
  26. https://www.where2golf.com/golf-tournaments/results/year/1979/?category=women-america&order_by=title_sponsor
  27. https://vault.si.com/vault/1975/04/28/make-way-for-palmer-ii
  28. https://vault.si.com/vault/1982/04/12/the-way-to-win-a-lot-with-a-little
  29. https://golfblogger.com/kraft_nabisco_championship_history_and_past_winners/
  30. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/kraft-nabisco-championship-at
  31. https://www.lpga.com/news/2018/2018-ana-three-year-extension
  32. https://www.ana.co.jp/eng/aboutana/press/2014/141119.html
  33. https://www.lpga.com/news/2021/chevron-joins-lpga-family-as-title-sponsor-of-the-chevron-championship
  34. http://www.thechevronchampionship.com/news/chevron-joins-lpga-family-as-title-sponsor-of-the-chevron-championship/
  35. http://www.thechevronchampionship.com/news/the-chevron-championship-embarks-on-new-era-at-the-club-at-carlton-woods/
  36. https://media.lpga.com/docs/librariesprovider3/2025-chevron/2025-chevron-championship---white-line-yardage.pdf?sfvrsn=756895b7_3
  37. https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/tour/lpga/chevron-championship-preview/
  38. https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/58874140
  39. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2021/10/05/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Chevron-Championship/
  40. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/chevron-championship-carlton-woods-new-venue-bigger-field-size
  41. https://www.si.com/golf/news/chevron-moving-cherished-lpga-major-now-will-winner-leap-into-new-pond
  42. http://www.thechevronchampionship.com/news/first-major-of-2021-celebrates-50th-anniversary/
  43. https://www.desertsun.com/story/sports/golf/ana-inspiration/2022/03/27/lpga-chevron-championship-gets-back-normal-fans/7077950001/
  44. https://www.thechevronchampionship.com/
  45. https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/chevon-championship-moving-lpgas-major-home-pga-tours-128980631
  46. https://pgatourmedia.pgatourhq.com/tours/2026/pgatour/texaschildrenshoustonopen
  47. https://www.liveabout.com/lpga-majors-1564556
  48. https://www.where2golf.com/golf-tournaments/results/year/1974/?event_type=02-Women&order_by=venue
  49. https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/04/sports/amy-alcott-wins-dinah-shore-golf.html
  50. https://www.golfcompendium.com/2023/01/womens-major-championships-golf.html
  51. https://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/22943438/who-take-plunge-2018-ana-inspiration
  52. https://www.rolexrankings.com/
  53. https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/lpga/2025/11/14/lpga-golf-major-tournament-chevron-championship-moving-pga-tour-venue/87268984007/
  54. https://golf.com/news/lpga-chevron-championship-memorial-park/
  55. https://media.lpga.com/docs/librariesprovider3/2025-chevron/daily-yardages-rd-2---chevron.pdf?sfvrsn=20b3fb09_3
  56. https://www.gcsaa.org/docs/default-source/tournament-fact-sheets/lpga-tour/2024/4.18-chevron-champ-%28lpga%29.pdf?sfvrsn=75adc43e_1
  57. https://fairwaytogreen.com/the-club-at-carlton-woods-chevron-championship-hole-by-hole/
  58. http://www.thechevronchampionship.com/schedule-of-the-week/
  59. https://golf.com/news/2025-chevron-championship-tv-schedule-tee-times/
  60. https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/44891198/mao-saigo-wins-lpga-major-chevron-championship-playoff
  61. https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2021/03/29/yardage-book-mission-hills-dinah-shore-tournament-course-ana-inspiration/76518855007/
  62. https://www.golfmonthly.com/news/its-sad-players-react-to-the-last-year-of-poppies-pond
  63. https://www.facebook.com/LPGA/posts/over-30-years-of-iconic-pond-jumps-%25EF%25B8%258Fwho-will-make-the-jump-this-year-at-the-chev/1064116529084912/
  64. https://www.lpga.com/tournaments/chevron-championship/past-winners
  65. https://www.desertsun.com/story/sports/golf/2022/03/30/lpga-chevron-championship-has-produced-dramatic-wins-50-years/7193173001/
  66. https://www.lpga.com/lpga-hall-of-fame/annika-sorenstam
  67. https://www.lpga.com/lpga-hall-of-fame/juli-inkster
  68. https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2015/03/30/ana-inspiration-dinah-shore-women-history/70699026/
  69. https://www.lpga.com/news/2020/looking-back-at-great-moments-in-ana-inspiration-history
  70. https://www.golfcompendium.com/2024/04/chevron-championship-scoring-records.html
  71. https://www.golfmonthly.com/features/who-are-the-wire-to-wire-major-golf-championship-winners-on-the-lpga-tour
  72. https://www.lpga.com/news/2025/mao-saigo-becomes-fourth-rolex-first-time-winner-of-2025-season-at-the-chevron-championship
  73. https://www.reuters.com/sports/golf/japans-saigo-overcomes-largest-ever-major-lpga-playoff-win-chevron-2025-04-28/
  74. https://read.nxtbook.com/global_golf_post/global_golf_post/20220926/eubanks_col.html
  75. https://www.golfcompendium.com/2024/04/most-chevron-championship-wins.html
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.