The LPGA Tour continues its 2026 season with the seventh official event, as the world's best female golfers descend upon Shadow Creek in Las Vegas for the inaugural Aramco Championship. This co-sanctioned tournament with the Ladies European Tour brings together an elite field competing for a substantial $4 million purse.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul headlines the star-studded lineup alongside second-ranked Nelly Korda, with all 20 of the world's top-ranked players confirming their participation. The tournament winner will take home a handsome $600,000 payday, representing the largest individual prize in the event's prize structure.
Shadow Creek, long regarded as one of golf's most exclusive venues, has hosted LPGA events previously but marks its first time as the stage for this particular championship under new sponsorship. The prestigious Nevada course provides a fitting backdrop for such an elite gathering of international talent.
Current form suggests intense competition lies ahead, with No. 4 Hyo Joo Kim entering on a remarkable hot streak. Kim has captured victories in the previous two tournaments, claiming both the Founders Cup and Ford Championship while defeating Korda in both finals. Her recent dominance positions her as a serious threat to claim the inaugural Aramco Championship title.
The field's depth extends beyond just the world's elite rankings. All five tournament winners from the 2026 LPGA season have committed to compete, ensuring the champion will have earned their victory against the year's most successful players. Additionally, 24 of the world's top 25 players are in attendance, creating one of the season's most competitive lineups.
Three Ladies European Tour winners have also made the journey to Las Vegas, adding international flavor to the already diverse field. The co-sanctioned nature of the event provides European players additional opportunities to compete on American soil while offering LPGA regulars valuable ranking points and prize money.
Sponsor exemptions have been extended to Jessica Korda and Anna Nordqvist, bringing additional star power to the tournament. These veteran players add experience and unpredictability to a field already brimming with talent and competitive fire.
The prize money distribution reflects the tournament's significance within the LPGA calendar. The runner-up will earn $372,192, while third place receives $269,999. Even players finishing as low as 70th place will collect $8,152, demonstrating the event's generous payout structure throughout the field.
Positions 4 through 10 receive payouts ranging from $208,865 down to $82,528, ensuring substantial rewards for players who contend throughout the weekend. The middle tier positions from 11th through 30th offer prize money between $76,413 and $31,992, providing meaningful compensation for solid tournament performances.
Lower finishing positions still receive respectable payouts, with players finishing between 31st and 50th earning between $30,769 and $14,263. Even those making the cut but finishing toward the bottom of the leaderboard can expect to receive over $8,000 for their efforts.
The tournament format and prize structure reflect the LPGA's continued growth and the increasing investment from international sponsors. The Aramco partnership represents significant financial backing for women's professional golf, helping elevate purse sizes and tournament prestige.
With such an elite field assembled and substantial prize money at stake, the Aramco Championship promises to deliver compelling golf over four rounds at Shadow Creek. Kim's recent form makes her an early favorite, but facing the world's top 20 players means any number of competitors could emerge victorious.
The tournament's outcome will likely impact world rankings and potentially shift momentum heading into the season's remaining events. With such concentrated talent and significant financial rewards available, expect fierce competition from the opening tee shot through the final putt on Sunday.