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PHOENIX (Feb. 26, 2026) – The 2026 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass is shaping up to bring the world’s best athletes back to the Phoenix area. On March 26-29, Whirlwind Golf Club will host several of the LPGA Tour’s top 100 athletes, including major champions, Olympic medalists and local favorites.  

Early commitments include Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, who has been the top player in the world since August 2025; Rolex Rankings No. 2 Nelly Korda, 2020 Olympics gold medalist and winner of the LPGA Tour’s Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions; and Rolex Rankings No. 3 Charley Hull, who won the season-opening PIF Saudi Ladies International on the Ladies European Tour. The Phoenix area will be well-represented by life-long resident Sarah Schmelzel, who played on the U.S. Team at the 2024 Solheim Cup, along with Arizona State University alumnae Carlota Ciganda, Linn Grant, Anna Nordqvist and Linnea Strom.   

Last year’s Ford Championship winner Hyo Joo Kim is expected to return to Whirlwind in search of a successful title defense, along with 2025 runner-up Lilia Vu. They will be joined by 2024 gold medalist and LPGA Hall of Fame member Lydia Ko, as well as major champions Celine Boutier, Allisen Corpuz, Brooke Henderson, Ariya Jutanugarn, A Lim Kim, Jennifer Kupcho, Mao Saigo, Maja Stark, Miyu Yamashita and Ruoning Yin. Entries will officially close on March 18.  

Tickets for the 2026 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass are available for purchase at SeatGeek.com. General admission daily tickets start at $49, with weekly passes starting at $129. Hospitality tickets for the Trophy Club are $249 for daily admission and $899 for weekly access. Overlooking the action on the 16th green, the Trophy Club delivers unbeatable views paired with daily DJs every day, great food inspired by the iconic Trophy Bar restaurant, an open bar that keeps the vibe going all tournament long and upgraded restrooms, as well as General Parking access. Whether coming for a single day or the full week, the Trophy Club is the ticket to non-stop fun and unforgettable moments on course. 

Juniors aged 17 and under will receive complimentary general admission with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information on junior tickets, visit FordChampionship.com. 

On behalf of The Thunderbirds, a Founding Partner of the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, the LPGA is proud to invite all active duty, reserve, retired and veteran U.S. military personnel, along with active U.S. law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMTs to attend the week’s event. Eligible guests and one t are invited to enjoy the championship from The Thunderbirds Military Outpost, a dedicated hospitality space available Thursday through Sunday of tournament week. Located near the 18th green, the Outpost offers complimentary snacks and beverages in a relaxed and comfortable setting while taking in the world-class LPGA Tour competition. 

Additionally, volunteer opportunities are available for fans who want to participate in the week’s festivities. Group hospitality and sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass are available by contacting Emily Podzielinski at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

For more information on the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, visit FordChampionship.com. Media who wish to attend and cover the competition should apply for credentials at www.lpgamediacredentials.com. 

PHOENIX (Jan. 29, 2026) – As the 2026 LPGA Tour season kicks off today in Florida, Phoenix-area golf fans can mark their calendars to watch the world’s best golfers in their own backyard. Tickets are on sale for the LPGA Tour’s 2026 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, to be held March 26-29. Fans will have the exciting opportunity to witness incredible competition at Whirlwind Golf Club while experiencing family-friendly activities for fans of all ages outside the ropes.

Early field commitments include Rolex Rankings No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, who has been the top player in the world since August 2025, and 2024 Ford Championship winner Nelly Korda. 2025 champion Hyo Joo Kim is expected to return to Whirlwind Golf Club in search of a successful title defense. Other notable names in the preliminary field for the 2026 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass are major champions Celine Boutier, Allisen Corpuz, Brooke Henderson, Ariya Jutanugarn, A Lim Kim, Lydia Ko, Jennifer Kupcho, Anna Nordqivst, Mao Saigo, Lilia Vu, Miyu Yamashita and Ruoning Yin.

Tickets for the 2026 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass are available for purchase at SeatGeek.com. General admission daily tickets start at $49, with weekly passes starting at $129. Hospitality tickets for the Trophy Club are $249 for daily admission and $899 for weekly access. Overlooking the action on the 16th green, the Trophy Club delivers unbeatable views paired with daily DJs every day, great food inspired by the iconic Trophy Bar restaurant, an open bar that keeps the vibe going all tournament long and upgraded restrooms, as well as General Parking access. Whether coming for a single day or the full week, the Trophy Club is the ticket to non-stop fun and unforgettable moments on course. 

Juniors aged 17 and under will receive complimentary general admission with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information on junior tickets, visit FordChampionship.com.

On behalf of The Thunderbirds, a Founding Partner of the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, the LPGA is proud to invite all active duty, reserve, retired and veteran U.S. military personnel, along with active U.S. law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMTs to attend the week’s event. Eligible guests and one accompanying guest are invited to enjoy the championship from The Thunderbirds Military Outpost, a dedicated hospitality space available Thursday through Sunday of tournament week. Located near the 18th green, the Outpost offers complimentary snacks and beverages in a relaxed and comfortable setting while taking in the world-class LPGA Tour competition. 

Click here for more information and to redeem these tickets.

Additionally, volunteer opportunities are available for fans who want to participate in the week’s festivities. Group hospitality and sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass are available by contacting Emily Podzielinski at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For more information on the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, visit FordChampionship.com.

Volunteer registration is now open for the 2026 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass. Phoenix-area sports fans are encouraged to join the official tournament team and experience the excitement of professional golf from an up-close perspective.  

More than 500 volunteers will be needed to help deliver a world-class LPGA Tour event when the championship returns to Whirlwind Golf Club on March 26-29, 2026. Whether greeting spectators, supporting operations or walking inside the ropes, volunteering is a rewarding way to give back, meet new people and be part of something truly special. Full details and registration for the volunteer program are available at www.fordchampionship.com. 

To further support the volunteer program, the Tempe Diablos have joined the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass family as a Founding Partner. The Diablos’ mission is to enhance the community by providing leadership and resources that create worthwhile opportunities, especially for area youth. The commitment of the Diablos is to focus their efforts on projects that make a significant contribution to the community while allowing for enjoyable experiences for the members.  

“The Tempe Diablos are proud to be a Founding Partner of the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass," said Todd Pearson, LPGA Committee Chair for the Tempe Diablos. "Both the LPGA and the Tempe Diablos are aligned in their missions to give back to charities throughout the Valley, and this new partnership will further enhance our abilities to impact many lives for years to come.” 

In partnership with the tournament, the Diablos will also host its annual “Ignite the Night”

 fundraiser on Saturday, March 28, at Rawhide at Wild Horse Pass, just steps from Whirlwind Golf Club. Fans will be able to support the world’s best golfers during the day and their local community in the evening.  

“Our volunteers make this championship possible and welcoming more than 500 individuals into our tournament family is one of the most rewarding parts of this event,” said Tournament Director Emily Podzielinski. “The Tempe Diablos share that deep commitment to service, and their investment in our community strengthens the LPGA’s mission to inspire, transform and advance opportunities for girls and women. Together with all our partners, we’re excited to elevate next year’s championship.” Tickets for the 2026 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass are available for purchase at SeatGeek.com. General admission daily tickets start at $49, with weekly passes starting at $129. Hospitality tickets for the Trophy Club are $249 for daily admission and $899 for weekly access. Overlooking the action on the 16th green, the Trophy Club delivers unbeatable views paired with daily DJs every day, great food inspired by the iconic Trophy Bar restaurant, an open bar that keeps the vibe going all tournament long and upgraded restrooms, as well as General Parking access. Whether coming for a single day or the full week, the Trophy Club is the ticket to non-stop fun and unforgettable moments on course. 

Juniors aged 17 and under will receive complimentary admission with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information on junior tickets, visit FordChampionship.com .

The LPGA is also pleased to offer both current and former members of the U.S. Military and certain guests complimentary grounds tickets regardless of sell-out. These tickets will be available in the coming months. 

Group hospitality and sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass are available by contacting Emily Podzielinski at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

This will be the third edition of the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, which joined the LPGA Tour calendar in 2024. In 2025, Korean superstar Hyo Joo Kim emerged victorious in a playoff with fellow major champions Lilia Vu. The 2024 playing saw American star Nelly Korda earn the third title of her season, becoming the first player since 2016 to win in three consecutive starts on the LPGA Tour and the first American to do so since Nancy Lopez won five straight events in 1978.  

For more information on the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, visit FordChampionship.com

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Another year, another playoff at TPC Scottsdale.

Seven of the last 11 WM Phoenix Opens have gone to extra holes, and Sunday delivered the drama once again as Chris Gotterup emerged as the 2026 WM Phoenix Open Champion, outlasting two-time winner Hideki Matsuyama in a finish that felt tailor-made for “The People’s Open.”

Gotterup was electric all day. Nine birdies in regulation, then one more for the ages – a birdie bomb on the first playoff hole that sealed it. One putt. One moment. A champion crowned.

Scottsdale delivered another unforgettable day on Saturday, as the WM Phoenix Open continued to showcase why it’s one of the most electric stops on the PGA TOUR.

After three rounds of tight scoring and packed crowds, Hideki Matsuyama finds himself in the lead following the third round, firing a 3-under 68 to sit atop the leaderboard at 13-under. Matsuyama’s round was a study in patience and power – the front nine saw him trading shots with the course, but it was on the back where he found his rhythm, steadying his footing and taking control when it mattered most.

Friday at TPC Scottsdale brought the second round of the 2026 WM Phoenix Open into full focus, with scoring runs, packed leaderboards, and the Stadium Course doing exactly what it does best – rewarding aggressive play and keeping the energy high heading into the weekend.

Ryo Hisatsune holds the lead at 11-under after delivering one of the rounds of the tournament, an 8-under 63 powered by a blistering back nine. Hisatsune posted a 30 coming home, including a stretch from holes 13 through 17 played in 6-under par, tying the WM Phoenix Open record for the longest birdie/eagle streak.

Wednesday is when the WM Phoenix Open stops warming up and starts being itself.

The Annexus Pro-Am took over TPC Scottsdale and reminded everyone why this day has become one of the most anticipated on the calendar. The ropes were full early. Groups were surrounded. Fans followed personalities instead of scoreboards. It wasn’t quiet, it wasn’t scripted, and it definitely wasn’t just another Pro-Am.

The golf mattered, too.

Team Chris Gotterup and Daniel Berger set the pace with a 55 to take first place, edging Team Brian Harman and Tom Hoge, who matched the score but came up just short on the final nine. Team Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka finished third at 57, while Team Cameron Young and Xander Schauffele followed closely behind, also at 57. From the leaders to the middle of the board, the Stadium Course stayed busy all afternoon, with plenty of teams hanging around and pushing the pace.

Monday at the WM Phoenix Open marked the official start of tournament week as the 2026 edition of “The People’s Open” returned to TPC Scottsdale. The annual Carlisle Pro-Am kicked off the festivities, pairing PGA TOUR professionals with community leaders and VIPs for a relaxed yet competitive day on the Stadium Course. While much of the country remains deep in winter, Arizona delivered perfect playing conditions, with clear blue skies and temperatures reaching 77 degrees – setting the stage for an exciting week ahead.

Mario Tiziani’s group claimed first place in the Carlisle Pro-Am, finishing the day at 19-under par. Tiziani was joined by Tim Hovik, Jeff Johnson, John Lightfoot and Charlie Winters, edging out Patrick Flavin’s group, which posted a strong 17-under performance to take second place.

Attention now turns to Tuesday, which continues the early-week momentum with a full slate of special events and practice rounds as PGA TOUR professionals fine-tune their games. Admission on Tuesday is once again free thanks to Ford Free Days, giving fans an opportunity to experience tournament week before competition begins.