Venue and Course Details
Shadow Creek Golf Course is a private, Tom Fazio-designed oasis-style layout transformed from former desert land into a lush, strategic masterpiece with rolling fairways, winding brooks, elevation changes, mature trees, and dramatic water features.
Par: 72
Yardage: 6,765 yards (LPGA tournament tees; plays shorter than the full championship tees of ~7,560 yards)
Layout: Balanced with four par 3s, ten par 4s, and four par 5s. Signature risk-reward holes include the finishing par-5 18th (water guarding the front of a small green, forcing lay-up or aggressive second-shot decisions) and several peninsula-style approaches. The course emphasizes precision off the tee, creative shot-making around undulating greens, and strong putting.
Course Conditions: Greens (T-1 Bentgrass) are running 12–12.5 on the Stimpmeter—firm and fast. Fairways and rough are overseeded Tifway 2 Bermuda with ryegrass; primary rough is maintained at ~1 inch for penal but playable lies. Expect firm, quick conditions that reward accuracy and course management over pure power, with potential for multi-groove play and birdie opportunities on the par 5s.
Tournament Format and Schedule
Format: 72-hole stroke play (no cut; 120-player field).
Tee Times: Morning wave starts ~7:00–8:30 a.m. PT (local Las Vegas time) each day, with featured groups and afternoon sessions.
TV Coverage (all times ET): Golf Channel — Thursday/Friday: 7–10 p.m.; Saturday/Sunday: 5–9 p.m. (with earlier digital streams).
Purse: $4,000,000 (one of the largest non-major, non-CME purses on the LPGA schedule).
CME Points: 500 to the winner.
Weather Conditions (Forecast for Tournament Week)
Classic mild Las Vegas spring weather is expected—ideal for scoring but with desert variables.
Highs: 72–81°F (low-to-mid 70s Thursday/Friday, warming slightly into the weekend).
Lows: 55–61°F overnight.
Conditions: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy with very low precipitation chances (0–23% daily). Light to moderate winds (5–15 mph, occasionally gusty from the south/southwest or northeast). Humidity low. Track will play firm and receptive early but could firm up further with sun and breeze, favoring players who control distance and spin. No major weather disruptions anticipated.
Tournament History
This is the inaugural Aramco Championship at Shadow Creek and the first co-sanctioned LPGA/LET event of its kind on U.S. soil. Shadow Creek has previously hosted LPGA events (including a T-Mobile Match Play) and high-profile exhibitions, but this marks a historic new chapter for the venue and the LPGA schedule. The Aramco brand has long supported elite women’s golf through the PIF Global Series (primarily in Saudi Arabia), and this U.S. debut brings together the world’s best from both tours for a marquee payday and ranking points.
Recent Player Forms and 2026 Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings (as of late March)
The 2026 season has been competitive, with strong showings from the top of the rankings:
Jeeno Thitikul (No. 1, Thailand) — Honda LPGA Thailand winner; consistent but looking to regain peak form after a recent mid-pack finish.
Nelly Korda (No. 2, USA) — Season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations TOC winner; back-to-back runner-ups (Founders Cup, Ford Championship); blistering start with elite ball-striking.
Hyo Joo Kim (No. 3, South Korea) — Red-hot with back-to-back LPGA wins (Fortinet Founders Cup and Ford Championship); seeking a historic three-peat and has looked unstoppable on approach play.
Other notables in the top 10–20: Charley Hull (No. 4), Minjee Lee (No. 5), Lydia Ko, Hannah Green, Sei Young Kim, and rising stars like Lottie Woad, Miyu Yamashita, and Haeran Ryu.
All 20 of the top-20 Rolex-ranked players are in the field—the strongest possible lineup.
Key Player Matchups and Field Highlights
The 120-player field blends LPGA stars with top LET talent. Standout storylines:
Thitikul vs. Korda vs. Kim: The top-three ranked players bring contrasting styles—Thitikul’s all-around game, Korda’s precision/power, and Kim’s current red-hot putting and iron play.
Featured Groups: Expect fireworks from groups like Lydia Ko/Hannah Green/Hyo Joo Kim and Rose Zhang/Lottie Woad/Mimi Rhodes.
Defending recent winners and veterans: Nasa Hataoka, Angel Yin, and Brooke Henderson add depth. LET standouts (e.g., recent Saudi winners) provide international flair.
Americans to watch: Korda, Lauren Coughlin (strong early-round performer), and others hunting their first big win of 2026.
