Overview
- The LPGA's first major of 2026 starts Thursday at Memorial Park in Houston with a $1.2 million winner's check.
- The 132-player field features eight amateurs, including the world's top four, led by No. 1 Kiara Romero.
- Eighteen South Korean players are entered, led by No. 3 Kim Hyo-joo, whose neck injury forced a withdrawal in Los Angeles and now makes her status a key storyline.
- Chun In-gee can complete a Career Grand Slam with a win, which the LPGA defines as winning four different majors.
- Form and history add stakes, with Kim Sei-young and Im Jin-hee coming off a playoff loss Sunday in LA and South Korea seeking renewed major success after uneven returns in recent years.