LPGA Creates Historic Amateur Pathway With Four Championship Exemptions to The Standard Portland Classic 2026 ⛳
Big news for amateur golf! Winners of the U.S. Women's Amateur, Women's Amateur Championship, Augusta National Women's Amateur, and NCAA Individual title will all compete together at The Standard Portland Classic. A first in LPGA history! 🏆
Okay golf girlies, this is HUGE news! 🎉
The LPGA just announced that four lucky amateur champions will get exemptions into The Standard Portland Classic this year, and I am absolutely HERE for it!
So here is the deal: Winners of the U.S. Women's Amateur, The Women's Amateur Championship, Augusta National Women's Amateur, and the NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championship will ALL get the chance to tee it up in Portland this August. This is the first time all four of these champions will compete in the same LPGA Tour event. How cool is that?!
These amateur champs already get invites to major championships, but now they will also have this amazing opportunity to showcase their skills against the best players in the world at Columbia Edgewater Country Club from August 13 to 16. 📍
LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler said it best: "This is about deepening our connections across the game and aligning around a shared commitment to the future of women's golf." The LPGA teamed up with the USGA, The R&A, Augusta National, and the NCAA to make this happen, and honestly? We love to see organizations working together to grow the women's game! 💪
The Standard Portland Classic has always been supportive of young talent. Last year, four amateurs competed in the field, and Kiara Romero (who was ranked No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings at the time) finished in the top 10! 🌟
This is what building pathways from amateur to professional golf looks like, and I could not be more excited to watch these future stars compete!
Who else is marking their calendars for August?! ⛳✨