It’s the first LPGA Tour major of the season.

Who do you think will win?

It will be interesting to see who takes the ceremonial jump into the water at the 2026 Chevron Championship, which takes place this year at the Memorial Park Golf Course, site of the recent Texas Children’s Houston Open, following three years at Carlton Woods.

Last year’s tournament will be remembered for the five-player playoff won on the first hole by Mao Saigo (Bridgestone Tour B XS).

Hannah Green (Srixon Z-Star Diamond) has won two tournaments so far this season, including the JM Eagle LA Championship for the third time in the last four years, and two Ladies European Tour victories, but she’s never won the Chevron. Her best finish was T8 in 2019.

“I think having the experience of winning tournaments so early will help me going into the Chevron,” said Green. “I have had some success when we played in California, probably not so much when we moved to Texas. I’m hoping I can change that statistic.”

Green is somewhat of an interesting price a 18-1, far higher than favorite Nelly Korda (TaylorMade TP5x) at about 4-1 or 5.50-2 depending on the site.

Jeeno Thitikul (Callaway Chrome Tour X), who is between 8.50-1 and 12-1, is the second choice. She is ranked No. 1 in the world but has never won the Chevron, the one thing missing in her brilliant career, let alone any major. Her best finish was second in the 2025 Evian Championship – so you know it’s only a matter of time. I’m sure she would like to win any major, if only because she’s probably tired of having to address the topic. Given that her status on the tour has been climbing since last year, you’d have to think it will happen sooner rather than later, perhaps this year she will jump in the water.

“I would see (winning a major) as a challenging thing,” she has said in the past. “I’m not saying it’s stressful because I know I’m still young and a lot of opportunities will come forward.”

But how do you overlook Korda, the former world No. 1, who is having a turnaround season in 2026 and is leading the season-long CME Globe points standings? After winning seven tournaments in 2024, she was shut out last year but was clearly not healthy. This year she has been playing well, including winning the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament Of Champions.

Korda told the media she hasn’t sought any intel from PGA players who have played the course.

“I like to suss out a golf course myself and make my decision myself rather than relying on someone else’s input,” she said. “Then I have too much information in my mind.”

Hyo-Joo Kim (Titleist Pro V1x) second in the points standings, is at 16-1 odds, which is somewhat surprising given that she’s on a roll this season with two wins. Miyuu Yamashita (Srixon Z-STAR XV), who won the British Open last year and is one of several Japanese players on the rise, might also be a threat.

Minjee Lee (Callaway Chrome Tour X) is just behind Green at 20-1.

THIS AND THAT

• Aside from the fact he is on a roll, the best thing about Matt Fitzpatrick (Titleist Pro V1x) winning is that he plays so quickly. He was solid in the RBC Heritage playoff beating Scottie Scheffler (Titleist Pro V1) in the playoff. Wouldn’t it be great if more players played quickly?

• Speaking of golfers who play quickly, when will Ludwig Aberg (Titleist Pro V1x) win again? He was T4 in the RBC Heritage. He has placed in the top five in four of his last five tournaments. I think he just might win soon.

• If there was a PGA Tour Comeback Player of the Year it would have to be Gary Woodland (Titleist Pro V1), who was T8 in the RBC Heritage after his victory in the Texas Children’s Houston Open, seven years after his last win.

• Is LIV Golf in financial trouble? You really have to wonder if Public Investment Fund will pull the plug after this season.