Women's golf is on the rise. It helps to have a star at the forefront like Nelly Korda, who has already won four times this year, including the year's first two major championships. And this week at Hazeltine in Chaska, Minnesota, Korda and the rest of the LPGA will chase another major championship, and now a record-setting amount of money.
The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship returned to having the largest purse in the history of women’s golf, announcing Monday an increase to $13 million.
"We're bringing 156 of the best female golfers out to compete right here in the Twin Cities," says Championship Director Laura Frick who spoke to Vineeta Sawkar on the WCCO Morning News. "It's definitely a great time for the game of women's golf."
Frick says when it comes to big stages for golf, there isn't a place quite like Hazeltine, which has hosted numerous big events, including the 2019 KPMG Women's PGA Championship, two previous men's PGA Championships, and a Ryder Cup. It'll become the first American course to ever host two Ryder Cups when it hosts again in 2029.
"So not only is it the energy around supporting major championships, but it's also the infrastructure," Frick explains. "It's a great venue for spectators. We have all on-site parking, which is a great amenity for a major championship as well. And it's kind of just the perfect situation for all involved."
This is the ninth consecutive year the purse has increased for the women, the largest coming in 2022 when the prize money doubled to $9 million.
The U.S. Women’s Open earlier this month at Riviera raised its purse to $12.5 million. That event was won by Korda, who could accomplish major career achievements with a win at Hazeltine, including qualifying for the women's golf Hall of Fame, and poised to become only the third woman in history to win three consecutive majors in a single season. She says that's not what drives her.
"It would be one of my, the best achievements of my career for sure," Korda said Wednesday while meeting with reporters at Hazeltine. "But is it a motivating factor of like, the reason why I go out and play every single day and practice? I would say no. I just want to compete well in tournaments."
There's no doubt one of the biggest reasons the women's game is attracting more attention this year is Korda, the No. 1 player in women’s golf.
A win makes her the first player since Inbee Park in 2013 to win three straight majors. No woman has ever won a grand slam, four majors in one season, which Korda will get a shot at accomplishing this year.
Korda also says while she's mainly focused on competing well, she also looks at the competition as a chance for fans to get to know her better. She's well-known for spending time with fans after her rounds, signing autographs and taking photos, especially for the endless stream of young girls that look up to the best women's player in the world.
"I also want to show everyone like my personality, you know, that I do laugh and I am a little bit of a dork," Korda laughs at herself. "But on the golf course, I'm really serious, obviously. But it has been fun, especially with the platform that I have to kind of share my personality a little bit more."
"Nelly has already won four times here in 2026, including two major championships, so as she enters into the third major championship of the year, we're so excited with all the different ongoing stories with her game in particular," Frick notes.
It won't be easy for Korda. The field is the strongest for the women’s majors, with all top 100 from the LPGA points list. NBC, Peacock and Golf Channel combine to provide 26 hours of television coverage, equal to the amount devoted to the Women’s Open.
“We’re proud to deliver the premier major on the LPGA Tour,” said Tim Walsh, the U.S. chair and CEO for KPMG. “Working with the PGA of America and the LPGA Tour, we’re combining a record purse with technology that gives players better, real-time insight into their performance, along with broader, more dynamic coverage for fans.
“It’s all about continuing to build momentum for women’s golf.”
The major dates to 1955. The PGA of America began jointly running it with the LPGA, with KPMG providing major corporate support and behind big upgrades in prize money and data enhancements to help players and the broadcast.
The Women's PGA has been going to some of the most established courses in history, and certainly Hazeltine fits that bill. Next year it goes back to Congressional.
KPMG WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
Site: Chaska, Minnesota.
Course: Hazeltine National GC. Yardage: 6,807. Par: 72.
Prize money: $13 million. Winner’s share: $1,950,000.
Television (all times ET): Thursday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon (Peacock), noon to 3 p.m. (NBC), 3-5 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Peacock), 1-4 p.m. (NBC).
Defending champion: Minjee Lee.
Race to CME Globe leader: Nelly Korda.
Last week: Miyu Yamashita won the Meijer LPGA Classic.
Last time at Women’s PGA: Minjee Lee closed with a 2-over 73 at windy Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco for a three-shot victory and her third major title.
Notes: Nelly Korda goes for her third consecutive major championship. The only two women to have won three straight majors in a season were Inbee Park in 2013 and Babe Zaharias in 1950, when the LPGA only had three majors. ... Hannah Green won the Women’s PGA when it was last at Hazeltine in 2019. ... Hazeltine in 2029 will become the first American course to host the Ryder Cup two times. ... Minjee Lee won her title last year at the PGA of America’s new headquarters in Frisco, Texas. The men’s PGA Championship goes there in 2027. ... Korda has played in the final group in all but one of her individual tournaments this year. ... The major increased its prize money to $13 million, making it the largest purse in the history of women’s golf. ... The field includes eight teaching or club professionals. ... The LPGA will have two weeks off before going to the next major in France that only became a major 13 years ago.
