2024 the Chevron Championship: Power Rankings, Defending Champion, Prize Money, and Major Details

It’s the first major in the women’s golfing world and the hype is slowly building up! The Chevron Championship will kick off at The Club at Carlton Woods. Interestingly, the much-anticipated tournament will see its first round being held on Thursday, April 18th, with its excitement reaching its peak on Sunday. Meanwhile, many top golfers will be taking part in the same.

Being the 8th event on the 2024 LPGA Tour calendar and, more importantly, a major championship, it will boast a total prize purse of $5.2 million. However, only one professional may take home the winner’s cut, along with the trophy and the much-coveted title.

The top contenders for The Chevron Championship crown

The first major in women’s golf will see a total of 132 athletes participate in the win and the honor it brings to Texas. Besides, the tournament will include past champions of the major championships, LPGA Tour winners, champions of the other majors, and professionals from the top 40 of the Rolex Rankings, among others. Therefore, it is completely natural for the community to have some favorites among the talented field of golfers who might lift the trophy.

1. Lilia Vu: The former No. 1 on the world rankings managed to win the 2023 edition of the Chevron Championship with an amazing display of golf, beating Angel Yin in the playoffs after being tied at T1. Soon after, she won another major, the AIG Women’s Open, followed by the ANNIKA Driven By Gainbridge at Pelican in August and November, respectively. Meanwhile, she hasn’t registered a win in the current season and has two WDs along with just two top-20 placements, the best of which came at Honda LPGA Thailand at T7. Regardless, it would be unwise to underestimate her.

2. Nelly Korda: Undoubtedly the most talked about female golfer in the world at the moment, the 25-year-old has been unstoppable on the course. Despite starting the year with a T16 at the HGV Tournament of Champions, she clinched four consecutive victories in a row in the next four tournaments she played, all the while pushing her to the top spot on the Rolex Rankings. What’s more, she was able to join the likes of Annika Sorenstam to become the second player heading into a major championship with four straight victories. Truly a fan favorite to win the upcoming major, the Chevron championship.

3. Lydia Ko: Currently placed at No. 8 in the world rankings, the 26-year-old was able to pull off a magnificent triumph at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in January. Even though she couldn’t manage a win after that, her performances have been very notable, with a total of two top-5 finishes, excluding her 20th LPGA Tour victory. Fascinatingly, this includes a T2 finish at the LPGA Drive-On Championship and a T4 at the Blue Bay LPGA event. Well, Ko would surely be eyeing her third major title this week at The Chevron Championship.

4. Charley Hull: The English professional will be hoping to clinch her maiden major victory and it does seem possible with her recent performances. Although she hasn’t won once in 2024, her finishes have been admirable, to say the least. Out of the six total starts she made this season, the 28-year-old managed four top-10 placements, with the best of which she placed a T2 at the Aramco Team Series in Tampa, followed by a T3 at the Aramco Ladies International, both of which took place on the LET. Anyhow, the current No. 7 in the world is not an opponent to be taken lightly at the Chevron Championship.

5. Brooke Henderson: The golfer is fresh off a T9 finish at the T-Mobile Match Play Presented by MGM Rewards. Interestingly, that makes it her fourth top-10 placement out of the total seven starts she made in the current season. Even though the 2-time major champ’s last win came off in 2023, almost a year ago, her recent gameplay has marked her as a professional to look out for while aiming for her 3rd major title and her 14th LPGA win at the Chevron Championship.

What awaits the golfers at The Chevron Championship?

Out of the two nationally recognized courses, the major championship will take place at the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at Carlton Woods. Opened in 2001 and designed by ‘The Golden Bear’ himself, the 7,368-yard, par-72 course features an intriguing design filled with generous tee boxes, along with lakes, forests, parklands, and undulating greens.

“The course we have created at Carlton Woods takes full advantage of the beautifully wooded terrain in this area of the country,” said the legend while alluding to the iconic layout. Adding on, he mentioned how it will “test the purist, embrace those fortunate ones just beginning the game, and reward all with a memorable golfing experience.” It seems the golfers are truly in for a challenging weekend in Texas!