There are five major championships in women's professional golf. The Chevron and the U.S. Open have already taken place this year, with the Evian Championship and the British Women's Open still to come. And next week, here in Chaska Minnesota at famed Hazeltine, it's the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, and there are a number of storylines for golf fans to follow.
For the hometown fans, there's a Minnesotan competing. She is Detroit Lakes native Kate Smith-Stroh was one of two golfers to receive a special exemption into the field. The 27-year-old first joined the LPGA Tour in 2025 and is coming off a season-best tie for tenth at last week's Dow Championship.
Smith-Stroh will face a field of competition including all of the top 100 players in the current Race to CME Globe Rankings.
But the headliner of that is clearly world number one Nelly Korda. She's coming off a U.S. Open victory, plus won the first major of the season at the Chevron, setting up what could be an incredibly historic season, and a dramatic week in Chaska.
No woman has completed the yearly Grand Slam. While there are five majors in women's golf now, the LPGA recognizes both the career and yearly Grand Slam as winning four events. That gives Korda three chances to win two, and accomplish something for the first time ever. Only seven women have ever completed the career Grand Slam, showing how dominant Korda has been.
How hot is Korda right now? She's competed in nine events so far this season. She's won four of those. Three other events she finished second. Her worst finish in a single event is eighth, and her worst finish, last week in the Dow which is a team event, is 17th.
Korda is far from alone.
Defending PGA Champion Minjee Lee headlines 12 past champions in the field. Jeeno (Atthaya) Thitikul is sitting at No. 2 in the world rankings, and she is Korda's chief rival. Thitikul is searching for her first major championship. Hyo Joo Kim won two events this year, both times besting a second place Korda.
And as usual, Hazeltine will have a say in who wins, with the long and difficult course generating a champion that can survive its challenging setup.
Hannah Green won the 2019 edition at Hazeltine, and she is again competing in 2026. Green finished at 9-under 279 for a one-stroke victory and became the third Australian to win the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Notably, Korda finished third that year, well before she became the dominant force she is now on the LPGA Tour.
Hazeltine is hosting its fifth PGA of America championship following the 2002 PGA Championship, 2009 PGA Championship, 2016 Ryder Cup and 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Hazeltine will also host the 2029 Ryder Cup.
The women's PGA Championship runs June 25-28 at Hazeltine National Golf Club.
Hazeltine last hosted the women's major championship in 2019
Hazeltine last hosted the women's major championship in 2019
