• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Women’s Golf Has Five—Not Four—Majors, and That’s a Good Thing

  • The Chevron Championship, the first women’s major of the year, begins Thursday.
  • Since 2013, the sport has played five, not four, major championships.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune

The Masters is over but there’s already another major championship about to tee off. The best golfers in the women’s game are gathering just outside Houston for the Chevron Championship, which starts Thursday morning and is the first of the sport’s five annual major championships.

Yes, five, not the four that the men’s game plays. Why? Let’s take a look.

Major Feel

What makes a tournament a major championship? World rankings points and money. Winning a major earns a golfer 100 points, while no other event on the LPGA Tour, or any other circuit, hands out more than 62 to its champion. Pending any further increases, the five majors will award a combined $45.4 million to its participants; that’s almost 37% of the LPGA’s $123.25 million total prize pot currently planned in 2024.

This year, the order of the majors is:

  • The Chevron Championship, April 18-21 
  • U.S. Women’s Open, May 30-June 2 
  • Women’s PGA Championship, June 20-23
  • The Evian Championship, July 11-14 
  • Women’s Open, Aug. 15-18

The More the Merrier

In 2013, the Evian Championship was added as the fifth major in women’s golf. While some purists would argue that’s one too many, it actually has brought a welcomed synergy to the sport. Since then, the women’s game has become a little more unified with the men’s and continues to see more financial investments.

Each of the top five stakeholders in women’s golf is closely aligned with one of the majors: LPGA (Chevron), USGA (U.S. Women’s Open), PGA of America (Women’s PGA Championship), Ladies European Tour (Evian), and the R&A (Women’s Open). The USGA, PGA of America, and R&A, in particular, are taking more women’s majors to courses traditionally reserved for their men’s championships, like Pebble Beach, Baltusrol, and St Andrews.

Notably, there is no women’s professional tournament played at Augusta National, home of the most popular men’s major. Ahead of the Masters, club chairman Fred Ridley effectively shot down the idea of holding a women’s Masters, saying it would be “very difficult” to hold another annual tournament in addition to the Masters and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. 

How About Five in a Row?

Nelly Korda (above), the No. 1-ranked women’s golfer, comes into the first major of the year having won her last four starts. (That’s an even hotter streak than Masters champ Scottie Scheffler is on.) If the 25-year-old American wins this week, she’ll pocket $1.2 million—the same amount she’s made from her four wins this year combined. Now, that’s major.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Amazon Adds Golf to Its Packed Black Friday Sports Lineup With NFL,..

On Nov. 28, The Skins Game will return for the first time since 2008.
[US, Mexico, & Canada customers only] Mar 16, 2025; Singapore, SINGAPORE; Joaquin Niemann in action during the final round of LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club.

LIV Golf Lost $461M in Non-U.S. Operations in 2024

Public financial filings were released this week in the U.K.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Sep 27, 2025; Bethpage, New York, USA; Team Europe's Matt Fitzpatrick celebrates with Tyrrell Hatton after holing his putt to win the hole on the 9th hole during the four-balls on the second day of competition for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.

Ryder Cup Fallout Continues As PGA of America Leaders Take Heat

European players are still not happy with the fan behavior.
opinion

How Rory McIlroy Became Golf’s Lightning Rod

Is McIlroy a hypocrite for ripping fans after his own f-bombs?

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Mar 15, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) reacts after scoring a goal during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center.

How Connor McDavid’s Extension Set Off a Wave of Big-Money Deals

Several notable contracts are completed in the wake of the superstar’s deal.
exclusive
October 8, 2025

Bud Selig: ‘Remarkable’ Brewers Run Can’t Mask MLB’s Money Divide

The former commissioner lauds his hometown team while raising economic concerns.
Alexis Ohanian
October 8, 2025

Alexis Ohanian Tweaks Track Rivals With Promise of Instant Payments

Athletes will be paid minutes after finishing their races at Athlos.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
October 8, 2025

MLB’s Rare October Day: Four Playoff Games, Four Possible Clinchers

Four separate clinching opportunities are available during the day.
October 7, 2025

‘Absolutely Ridiculous’: Trump Blasts NFL Over Bad Bunny Choice

The president predictably panned the NFL’s selection of the Puerto Rican superstar.
Maverick Carter, LeBron James
exclusive
October 7, 2025

New International Basketball League Plans Launch, Without Maverick Carter

The venture plans to launch men’s and women’s leagues next fall.
Taylor Swift
October 7, 2025

Taylor Swift Explains Why She Isn’t Playing Super Bowl Halftime

She said she’s “too locked in” on Travis Kelce’s season to perform.