DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (March 4, 2026) – The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) announced today the creation of four amateur exemptions in collaboration with the United States Golf Association (USGA), The R&A, Augusta National, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). An exemption into the 2026 Standard Portland Classic will be extended to the winners of this year’s U.S. Women’s Amateur, The Women’s Amateur Championship, Augusta National Women’s Amateur, and NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship (Individual).
The winner of each of these amateur championships have historically received exemptions into at least one of four women’s golf major championships (The Chevron Championship, U.S. Women’s Open presented by Ally, The Amundi Evian Championship, AIG Women’s Open). This will be the first time that the winners of all four amateur events listed above will have the opportunity to compete in the same LPGA Tour event.
“This is about deepening our connections across the game and aligning around a shared commitment to the future of women’s golf,” said LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler. “We’re proud to stand alongside the USGA, The R&A, Augusta National, and the NCAA in creating a clear pathway from amateur excellence to professional golf. When we’re aligned, the entire ecosystem is stronger. We’re grateful to The Standard Portland Classic for leaning into this vision and for providing these future stars a chance to compete against the best players in the world on the LPGA Tour.”
The Standard Portland Classic will take place at Columbia Edgewater Country Club from Aug. 13-16. As one of the longest events on the LPGA Tour, The Standard Portland Classic has a rich history that has lent to the amateurs and young professionals. In 2025, there were four amateurs in the field with three receiving a sponsor invite to participate. Kiara Romero, one of those sponsor invites and current No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, notably finished in the top 10.
About the LPGA
The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) is the world’s premier women’s professional golf organization. Created in 1950 by 13 pioneering female Founders, the LPGA, whose Members now represent nearly 40 countries, is the longest- standing professional women’s sports organization. Through the LPGA Tour, the Epson Tour, the LPGA Professionals, and a joint venture with the Ladies European Tour, the LPGA provides female professionals the opportunity to pursue their dreams in the game of golf at the highest level. In addition to its professional tours and teaching accreditation programs, the LPGA features a fully integrated Foundation, which provides best-in-class programming for female golfers through its junior golf programming, and its LPGA Amateurs division, which offers its members playing and learning opportunities around the world. The LPGA aims to use its unique platform to inspire, transform and advance opportunities for girls and women, on and off the golf course.
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Media Contacts
Carly Lyvers, Communications Manager
Carly.Lyvers@lpga.com
Tommy Tangtiphaiboontana, SVP, Tour Operations
tommy.tangtiphaiboontana@lpga.com