2026 Chevron Championship: Your Complete Guide to Round 1 Tee Times and Key Players
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Alright, folks, buckle up. The 2026 Chevron Championship is kicking off this Thursday, April 23rd, down at Memorial Park in Houston, Texas. This is the big one, the start of a major, and you can bet your bottom dollar the competition is going to be fierce. We’re talking about the best of the best, all vying for that coveted trophy.Now, you might be wondering who’s playing, when they’re teeing off, and if your favorite golfer is going to be in the mix. Don’t sweat it. We’ve got the full rundown for you, so you can plan your viewing – or just brag to your buddies about knowing all the ins and outs before anyone else.
Nelly Korda's Quest for No. 1
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room, or rather, the dominant force on the course: Nelly Korda. She’s been on a mission, hasn’t she? For ages, she held that coveted No. 1 spot in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings. Then, Jeeno Thitikul swooped in and took it. Tough break, but Korda’s not one to back down.She’s had a solid start to 2026. Remember that season-opener, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions? She won that, though it was a bit… controversial. The final round got canned, and she was declared the winner as the 54-hole leader. Hey, a win’s a win, right?And then there was the 2026 Fortinet Founders Cup. She was *this close*, man. A late three-putt snatched it away, leaving her in the runner-up spot. Ouch. But that just shows you her game is sharp. She’s in top form, and Memorial Park is her playground this week. Expect her to be a major contender.
The Big Groupings to Watch
So, who is Nelly Korda playing with? Well, she’s in a pretty stacked group for her opening round on Thursday. She tees off at 2:39 p.m. ET, and she’s paired with the defending champion, Mao Saigo, and none other than Lilia Vu. Yeah, that’s a marquee group right there. You’re going to want to tune in for that one.But it’s not just about Nelly. This tournament is packed with talent. We’ve got seasoned veterans, rising stars, and some serious powerhouses ready to make their mark. The full list of tee times is below, but let’s highlight a few other groups that are shaping up to be must-watch TV.You’ve got players like Rose Zhang, Melanie Green, and Ashleigh Buhai going out together. That’s a serious lineup with a lot of firepower. Then there’s the group with Brooke M. Henderson, Jeeno Thitikul, and Ruoning Yin – talk about a battle for supremacy!
Where to Catch the Action
If you’re not lucky enough to be on the grounds at Memorial Park, don’t despair. You can catch all the opening-round action on Thursday. Golf Channel will be broadcasting from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET, and then again from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET.And if you’re a Peacock subscriber, you’re in luck. They’ll be offering a live simulcast of the Golf Channel coverage, starting bright and early at 11 a.m. ET. So, plenty of opportunities to see who’s making moves and who’s struggling out there.
Round 1 Tee Times: The Full Schedule
Alright, enough talk. Here are the complete Round 1 tee times for the 2026 Chevron Championship. Get your calendars marked, set your alarms, and prepare for some incredible golf.8:15 a.m. (1st tee) – Ingrid Lindblad, Yuna Nishimura, Gemma Dryburgh
8:15 a.m. (10th tee) – Moriya Jutanugarn, Shuri Sakuma, Jungmin Hong8:27 a.m. (1st tee) – Carla Tejedo Mulet, Akie Iwai, Alexa Pano
8:27 a.m. (10th tee) – Celine Boutier, Sophia Schubert, Manon De Roey8:39 a.m. (1st tee) – Benedetta Moresco, Paula Martin Sampedro (a), Yan Liu
8:39 a.m. (10th tee) – Dewi Weber, Mary Liu, Frida Kinhult8:51 a.m. (1st tee) – Amy Yang, Jin Hee Im, Auston Kim
8:51 a.m. (10th tee) – Lindy Duncan, Carlota Ciganda, Aditi Ashok9:03 a.m. (1st tee) – Brittany Lincicome, Jin Young Ko, Jennifer Kupcho
9:03 a.m. (10th tee) – Somi Lee, Rio Takeda, Ariya Jutanugarn9:15 a.m. (1st tee) – Hannah Green, Hyo Joo Kim, Charley Hull
9:15 a.m. (10th tee) – Linn Grant, Yu Liu, Haeran Ryu9:27 a.m. (1st tee) – Maja Stark, Minjee Lee, Miyu Yamashita
9:27 a.m. (10th tee) – Ina Yoon, Nasa Hataoka, Jing Yan9:39 a.m. (1st tee) – Lexi Thompson, Patty Tavatanakit, Lydia Ko
9:39 a.m. (10th tee) – Hye-Jin Choi, Sei Young Kim, Andrea Lee9:51 a.m. (1st tee) – Megha Ganne (a), Shannon Tan, Yana Wilson
9:51 a.m. (10th tee) – Narin An, Erika Hara, Pornanong Phatlum10:03 a.m. (1st tee) – Kiara Romero (a), Mimi Rhodes, Karis Davidson
10:03 a.m. (10th tee) – Jasmine Suwannapura, Sora Kamiya, Stephanie Kyriacou10:15 a.m. (1st tee) – Wei-Ling Hsu, Gaby Lopez, Alison Lee
10:15 a.m. (10th tee) – Andrea Revuelta (a), Ruixin Liu, Brooke Matthews—1:15 p.m. (1st tee) – Linnea Strom, Chanettee Wannasaen, Yuri Yoshida
1:15 p.m. (10th tee) – Albane Valenzuela, Suvichaya Vinijchaitham, Jessica Porvasnik1:27 p.m. (1st tee) – Perrine Delacour, Yuka Saso, Gurleen Kaur
1:27 p.m. (10th tee) – In Gee Chun, Austin Ernst, Youmin Hwang1:39 p.m. (1st tee) – Jenny Shin, Jodi Ewart Shadoff, Erica Shepherd
1:39 p.m. (10th tee) – Nastasia Nadaud, Ilhee Lee, Chiara Tamburlini1:51 p.m. (1st tee) – Allisen Corpuz, Miranda Wang, Weiwei Zhang
1:51 p.m. (10th tee) – Lucy Li, Anna Nordqvist, Nanna Koerstz Madsen2:03 p.m. (1st tee) – Cassie Porter, Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, Minami Katsu
2:03 p.m. (10th tee) – Stacy Lewis, Yani Tseng, Grace Kim2:15 p.m. (1st tee) – Madelene Sagstrom, Ayaka Furue, Leona Maguire
2:15 p.m. (10th tee) – Lauren Coughlin, Lottie Woad, Chizzy Iwai2:27 p.m. (1st tee) – A Lim Kim, Jenny Bae, Esther Henseleit
2:27 p.m. (10th tee) – Brooke M. Henderson, Jeeno Thitikul, Ruoning Yin2:39 p.m. (1st tee) – Mi Hyang Lee, Angel Yin, Yealimi Noh
2:39 p.m. (10th tee) – Mao Saigo, Nelly Korda, Lilia Vu2:51 p.m. (1st tee) – Laney Frye, Peiyun Chien, Nataliya Guseva
2:51 p.m. (10th tee) – Asterisk Talley (a), Ryann O’Toole, Robyn Choi3:03 p.m. (1st tee) – Rose Zhang, Melanie Green, Ashleigh Buhai
3:03 p.m. (10th tee) – Farah O’Keefe (a), Paula Reto, Gabriela Ruffels3:15 p.m. (1st tee) – Yunseo Yang (a), Megan Khang, Julia Lopez Ramirez
3:15 p.m. (10th tee) – Pajaree Anannarukarn, Saki Baba, Shauna Liu (a)
Memorial Park: A Worthy Test
This isn’t just any course. Memorial Park in Houston is a serious test of golf. It’s known for its challenging layout, demanding accuracy off the tee and solid iron play. The conditions in Houston can be brutal, too – humidity, wind, the whole nine yards. It’s going to separate the contenders from the pretenders real quick.This championship has a storied history, and playing at a venue like Memorial Park only adds to the prestige. It’s a true test of a player’s mettle, and we’re about to see who’s got what it takes.
What to Look For on Day 1
Beyond the star pairings, keep an eye on how players handle the pressure. The first round of a major is always a bit dicey. Some players thrive, others crumble. You’ll see who’s got the mental fortitude to get off to a strong start.Also, watch the amateurs. You’ve got a few listed there, and they’re playing with house money. They can sometimes surprise everyone and shoot a decent number. Plus, it’s always cool to see the next generation of talent making their debut on the big stage. For a deeper dive into the course itself, you can often find detailed course reviews and yardage books on sites like Golf Distillery, which can give you a real feel for the challenges players will face.This is just the beginning, folks. The 2026 Chevron Championship is set to be an absolute barnburner. Get ready for some incredible golf, some nail-biting finishes, and maybe, just maybe, a new major champion is crowned. It’s going to be a wild ride.