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| Thursday Jun 25, 2026 |
KPMG WOMEN'S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP TALKING POINTS
➡️ Rolex Rankings No. 1 Nelly Korda enters the 2026 KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club seeking a historic third consecutive major title this season. Korda won both The Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women's Open earlier this year. A victory this week would secure the final two points needed for her induction into the LPGA Hall of Fame, making her the first inductee since 2024.
➡️ Jeeno Thitikul, No. 2 in the Rolex Rankings, is making her fifth appearance at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Thitikul holds the distinction of having the most career victories without a major championship victory among active LPGA Tour members. She enters the week in strong form, boasting two victories and four top-10 finishes in 11 starts during the 2026 season, including a title defense at the Mizuho Americas Open.
➡️ Reigning champion Minjee Lee returns after winning the 2025 title at PGA Frisco. Lee's victory last year propelled her to win the 2025 Rolex Annika Major Award. She carries an impressive streak into Hazeltine, having successfully made 11 consecutive cuts at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and seven straight cuts across all major championships.
➡️ The tournament field features two sponsor invitations: Amari Avery and Minnesota native Kate Smith-Stroh. Avery, the top-ranked player in the Epson Tour's Race for the Card, remains perfect this season after making the cut in all eight of her starts. Smith-Stroh, an LPGA Tour member, is making her debut appearance at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and her second career major championship start.
POLL OF THE WEEK
Exam Time
Give the 2026 U.S. Open a grade, factoring in the course, the setup, the drama, media coverage and outcome.
>> Vote
Last Week: In light of Phil Mickelson's career-spanning controversies — ranging from extreme sports gambling to his recent removal from a California golf club over employee misconduct allegations — can golf fans separate his off-course personal life from his on-course achievements? | Results
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
U.S. Open Postscript
What are your thoughts on the 2026 U.S. Open, specifically regarding the course, the finish and the tournament in general?
>> Respond
Last Week: The PGA Tour is proposing a two-tier schedule for 2028 with the upper tier consisting of 23 tournaments, including the three FedEX Cup events and four majors. How would you round out the remaining 16? | Read
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Tournament directors transformed a "quaint" stop into a player favorite through endless upgrades, proving that taking care of the entire ecosystem beats a tough calendar slot.
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The 2026 U.S. Open will be remembered not for iconic shots, but for a hostile Hamptons crowd, an overly cautious course setup, and the logistical nightmares of a luxury venue.
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JULY
7-9: International Indoor Golf and Technology Trade Show and Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada | Info
27-29: PGA Buying Summit, Frisco, Texas | Info
To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.
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