Ford Championship presented by KCC: The inaugural event with the largest purse so far this season on the LPGA Tour

Seville Golf and Country Club is hosting the inaugural Ford Championship presented by KCC

The LPGA Tour heads to Arizona for the first playing of the Ford Championship presented by KCC

There are two inaugural events being played this season on the LPGA Tour, and just seven weeks into the 2024 schedule, we’re already being treated to one of those inaugural events – the Ford Championship presented by KCC.

The LPGA Tour has played more than 70 events in Arizona since its inception in 1950. The most recent tournament on the LPGA Tour played in Arizona was the 2023 Drive On Championship, which was hosted at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club. The winner of that event was Celine Boutier, who kicked on after that victory and enjoyed an incredibly successful 2023, adding another three more titles to her name and the Solheim Cup – could this event kickstart someone’s season in 2024?

Who is playing in the Ford Championship presented by KCC?

There is a star-studded field playing this week in Arizona. Perhaps most eyeballs will be on Nelly Korda who regained No.1 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings from Lilia Vu, following her victory last week at the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship – making the American a two-time champion on Tour this season just six weeks into the schedule.

However, Nelly Korda isn’t the only winner this season to be teeing it up this week in Gilbert, Arizona. Four of the five victors in 2024 are playing this week, the only winner missing from the field is Patty Tavatanakit. First-time LPGA Tour winner, Bailey Tardy, is in the field this week, as is the HSBC Women’s World Champion, Hannah Green, and so is 20-time LPGA Tour winner, Lydia Ko.

All medalists from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games are playing in Arizona, with silver-medalist Mone Inami joining bronze-medalist Lydia Ko and gold-medalist Nelly Korda in the field. Adding to the strength of the field this week is the fact that collectively the field has won 33 Major Championships.

With the first Major of the season creeping closer, most players will want to get their game in shape, ready to compete at the Chevron Championship. Bearing this in mind, it’s clear to see why 35 golfers from the top 50 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings have made this a must-play event in their schedule. Of those 35 players, nine of them are currently occupying positions in the top 10 of the rankings.

There is a whole load of players for the locals to cheer on. There are six former Arizona State University Sun Devils teeing it up this week – Carlota Ciganda, Linn Grant, Roberta Liti, Azahara Munoz, Anna Nordqvist, and Linnea Strom.

With Gilbert being an area in the outskirts of the state Capital, Phoenix, it’s expected that Phoenix-area residents Mina Harigae, Christie Kerr, Sophia Popov, and Sarah Schmelzel will receive great support this week.

There are a couple of noteworthy competitors playing in Arizona this week. Lindsey Weaver-Wright is making her first appearance on the LPGA Tour since giving birth. The other player in the field who deserves a special mention is Kim Paez, who received a sponsors exemption into this event after winning the 2023 Southwest PGA Championship, becoming the first female winner in the event’s 66-year history.

What is the format of the Ford Championship presented by KCC?

It is a standard strokeplay event played over 72 holes with a cut after 36 holes (two rounds) that sees the leading 65 players and ties make the final two rounds. The player who achieves the lowest score over four rounds will win the tournament.

Where is the Ford Championship presented by KCC being played?

The Ford Championship presented by KCC is being played at Seville Golf and Country Club in Gilbert, a suburban area to the southeast of Phoenix, Arizona. This will be the first professional competition played at Seville Golf and Country Club.

The course was designed by renowned architect Gary Panks. The 18-hole championship golf course is littered with picturesque scenery and outstanding views. Seville Golf and Country Club is known for its excellent greens and the memorable signature 17th-hole island green.

The golf course at Seville Golf and Country Club measures 6,734 yards for the Ford Championship presented by KCC and it’s played as a par 72.

Who will win the Ford Championship presented by KCC?

With it being such a competitive field playing in Arizona, you would have thought it would be difficult to pick a clear favorite. However, the bookmakers have Nelly Korda down as the clear favorite. It’s understandable to see Korda leading the betting, but being 12 points clear of the second favorite, Lydia Ko, seems very strange.

If the bookmakers have got the markets right then it seems as though this week is going to be a procession for Nelly Korda and she will be an 11-time LPGA Tour by Monday. However, I wouldn’t be so quick to award the honors that easily. There is a whole host of golfers chomping at the bit, bidding to win for the first time or add to their resumés.

Selected odds (correct at 4 pm GMT on Mar 25, 2024)

Nelly Korda 8/1

Lydia Ko 20/1

Brooke Henderson 22/1

Ruoning Yin 22/1

Celine Boutier 22/1

Minjee Lee 22/1

Charley Hull 25/1

Rose Zhang 28/1

Linn Grant 33/1

Leona Maguire 40/1

Sarah Schmelzel 40/1

Carlota Ciganda 66/1

How much does the winner of the Ford Championship presented by KCC get?

Initially, when the LPGA Tour announced its record-breaking 2024 schedule, the Ford Championship presented by KCC had a purse of $2,000,000. However, since the schedule was announced, The Thunderbirds have joined the tournament family as a Founding Partner.

With this announcement came the addition of $250,000 to the tournament purse, making the overall purse $2,250,000 – matching the purse on the DP World Tour this week at the Hero Indian Open. Both purses don’t equate to the one on offer at the PGA Tour Texas Children’s Houston Open.

The winner of the inaugural Ford Championship presented by KCC will receive $337,500. The largest payout so far this season.

How to watch the Ford Championship presented by KCC

UK viewers can catch all the action on Sky Sports Golf

All times GMT

Thursday, March 28: Not available to watch

Friday, March 29: Not available to watch

Saturday, March 30: Sky Sports Golf, 22.00

Sunday, March 31: Sky Sports Golf, 23.00

US viewers can catch all the action on Golf Channel

All times EST

Thursday, March 28: The Golf Channel, 18.00

Friday, March 29: The Golf Channel, 18.00

Saturday, March 30: The Golf Channel, 18.00

Sunday, March 31: The Golf Channel, 18.00

Ford Championship presented by KCC Tee Times

Tee time information for the Ford Championship presented by KCC can be viewed here.

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About the author

James Hogg – Golf Equipment Writer

James has a degree in English Language from Newcastle University and an MA in Journalism from Kingston University.

He spent seven years working for American Golf as part of the sales and fitting team alongside his studies and is a specialist in putters, golf balls, and apparel.

James took up golf as a teenager and, thanks largely to his length and consistency off the tee, he plays off a handicap of 4.7 at Cleveland Golf Club.

You can contact James via email for loads more golf equipment insight.