The LPGA Tour makes its highly anticipated return to United States soil this week after a six-week absence, bringing the 15th edition of the Fortinet Founders Cup to Sharon Heights Golf Club in Menlo Park, California.
Located just 30 miles outside San Francisco, Sharon Heights presents a formidable challenge with its towering redwood trees lining narrow fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and lack of first cut that sends shots directly from fairway to rough. The course features particularly challenging par-3 holes on the 4th, 8th, 13th, and 17th that players are already identifying as key tests.
The tournament boasts an elite field with seven of the world's top 10 players in the Rolex Rankings competing. World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul headlines the field, coming off her recent victory in Thailand and a T-31 finish at the HSBC Women's World Championship.
Local interest runs high with several Bay Area connections in the field, including defending champion Yealimi Noh. Perhaps the most compelling story belongs to 2026 rookie Natasha Oon, a San Jose State University alumna making her LPGA Tour debut in her home region after a two-year injury rehabilitation.
"It means so much to me to play this week," said Oon, San Jose State University alum. "I've always kind of rehashed this in my head when I was going through really tough times. It was such a rocky road. It was a slow climb and tumbling back down, slow climb, tumbling back down. Now I feel like I've kind of seen the top a little bit and I'm just excited to just keep climbing up."
The tournament represents the LPGA's first full-field event of the 2026 season at a completely new venue with an enhanced prize purse, marking a significant milestone in the tour's calendar.
Television coverage runs Thursday through Sunday from 6-9 p.m. Eastern on Golf Channel Live and USA Network Digital platforms, providing comprehensive access to the competition.
With the tour's return to American soil generating significant excitement among players and fans alike, this week's Founders Cup promises compelling competition as the world's best female golfers navigate Sharon Heights' unique challenges. The combination of elite international talent and local storylines sets up what could be one of the season's most memorable events.