LPGA, Chevron unveil huge purse increase for season’s first major

The LPGA’s first major championship of the year is getting a massive facelift.

The Chevron Championship, now contested at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas, will now have a purse of $7.9 million in 2024, a massive increase from the $4.8 million purse this event had three years ago.

In addition, Chevron will remain the title sponsor of this event through 2029, demonstrating the growth of the women’s professional game.

“From the beginning of our partnership with Chevron and now with this extension, increased purse, and enhanced support for athletes, the evolution of The Chevron Championship is a symbol of our collective dedication to advancing women’s sports and driving the game toward equity,” said Mollie Marcoux Samaan, the LPGA commissioner.

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

“We look forward to continuing to grow this historic major championship on all levels and shaping an extremely bright future for generations of girls to come. It goes without saying, but we could not be more grateful for our partnership with Chevron.”

This latest purse increase means that the 2024 majors will award $45.4 million, a 97% increase from the purse size just three years ago. In February, the USGA announced a new partnership with Ally Financial, consequently increasing its purse at the U.S. Women’s Open.

“It’s not just about the golf tournament. It’s about everything that surrounds it. I think it’s really cool. Having the perspective of 24 years out here, I think it’s really cool to watch Chevron not only embrace the golf part of it but the community part of it,” said American Angela Stanford. Her best finish at this event came in 2011 when she tied for third. Stanford’s only major win came at the 2018 Evian Championship.

“They’re so involved, and every little thing matters. I think when you have a sponsor and a partner who cares about the small things and the details, the big things are going to be even better.”

Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

In addition, ESPN+ will stream more than 40 hours of featured group coverage throughout the week, which will surely include Nelly Korda, who will try to win her fifth straight event on the LPGA.

If she does so, Korda would be the first woman to win five straight LPGA events since Nancy Lopez in 1978. Amazingly, Lopez accomplished that feat in her rookie season, a year in which she won nine events.

Korda has received extra attention, including an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter, due to the prospect of her matching history.

“If you’re playing good golf and you’re competing well and people see how much love you have for the game or how much work you put in day in and day out, I think everything comes with results,” Korda said.

“If you don’t have results, you’re not going to get opportunities. At the end of the day, everything is about results.”

Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.