The LPGA is back in Arizona and back at Whirlwind Golf Club’s Cattail course for a second time. The tournament is Thursday through Sunday, March 26-29, 2026, in Chandler. There have been more than 50 LPGA events in the Grand Canyon State dating to 1962.
The 2026 Ford Championship is the sixth event, and third in the U.S., on the LPGA’s 2026 schedule. It also comes one month before the first women’s major championship of the year.
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What fans need to know about the 2026 Ford Championship
The Ford Championship will be just the second full-field event on the LPGA in 2026. There will be 144 players competing, including the world’s Nos. 1, 2 and 3.
Who are the top names in the Ford Championship?
Jeeno Thitikul (No. 1), Nelly Korda (2) and Charley Hull (3) are all in the Ford. Thitikul and Korda have already won in 2026 on the LPGA, while Hull won the PIF Saudi Ladies International in February, a victory that propelled her to a career-high third in the rankings.
Jeeno Thitikul tees off on the second hole during the final round of the 2025 HSBC Women’s World Championship at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore.
Defending champion Hyo-Joo Kim is back, as well as Lydia Ko, Celine Boutier, Allisen Corpuz, Brooke Henderson, Ariya Jutanugarn, A Lim Kim, Jennifer Kupcho, Mao Saigo, Maja Stark, Miyu Yamashita and Ruoning Yin. There will be four Arizona State products competing as well: Carlota Ciganda, Linn Grant, Anna Nordqvist and Linnea Strom.
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LPGA players making their season debuts at the Ford
Jessica Korda, who became a mom in February 2024, has not played on the LPGA since May 2023 but she was in the Grant Thornton mixed event last December. Now 33, Korda has six LPGA wins.
Jessica Korda laughs as she walks the third hole with her caddie during the final round of the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
Also, Lexi Thompson, who was married earlier this March, will tee it up for the first time in 2026. She has 11 wins and is seeking her first since 2019.
Where is the Ford Championship being played?
The Whirlwind Golf Club has two 18-hole courses, and it’s the Cattail Course that hosts the LPGA. The Cattail Course is tied for 17th on the Golfweek’s Best list of top public-access golf courses in Arizona, while Devil’s Claw, the sister course at Whirlwind, is ranked 14th. The Gary Panks-designed Cattail also ranks 35th on Golfweek’s Best top 50 casino golf courses in the U.S.
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When is the Ford Championship?
The tournament is March 26-29, 2026, with the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday. Then there will be a cut to determine the weekend rounds.
What is the prize money at the 2026 Ford?
First place is good for $337,500 out of the $2.25 million total prize fund.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: LPGA returns to Arizona with 2026 Ford Championship in Chandler
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