Round 1 Tee Times: Begin ~7:30 a.m. PDT (gates open 7:00 a.m.; split tees #1 & #10)
TV Coverage: Golf Channel / USA Network (Thurs–Sun 6–9 p.m. ET) | Streaming: Golf Channel app / USA Sports app / LPGA Tour Live Venue: Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club – Menlo Park, California (2900 Sand Hill Road)
Venue & Course Details
Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club, a private Platinum Club of the World property nestled in the wooded hills of the San Francisco Peninsula, hosts the Fortinet Founders Cup for the very first time in 2026. Originally designed in 1962 by Jack Fleming (a protégé of Alister MacKenzie) and extensively renovated in 2023 by Todd Eckenrode, the course now features expanded fairway corridors, new bentgrass greens with short-grass surrounds, native California oaks and sycamores, wild grasses, and attractively collapsing bunkers that give it a classic yet modern feel.
- Length: 6,542 yards (LPGA whiteline tees)
- Par: 72 (36-36)
- Layout: Tree-lined parkland with significant elevation changes, rolling hills, and narrow fairways — one of the most accuracy-demanding tracks on the LPGA schedule. Hilly terrain and tall trees create tight landing areas and strategic doglegs; the course plays shorter than the card due to elevation but rewards precise ball-striking and course management over raw power.
- Greens & Surfaces: Bentgrass greens (speed 11.5–12 ft), bentgrass tees/fairways, ryegrass rough (2.25″). Fast, true putting surfaces with short-grass surrounds emphasize approach play and scrambling.
- Key Stats (setup): GIR and fairway accuracy are premium; expect scoring in the low-to-mid 60s possible on firm, fast conditions. No major changes from the renovation — the course is in pristine tournament condition.
144-player field; 36-hole cut; practice rounds earlier in the week. This Bay Area debut adds scenic beauty and a new test for the entire field.
Weather Conditions
Classic Northern California spring weather with zero rain forecast all week (dry and hazard-free). High pressure dominates.
- Thursday–Friday (Rounds 1–2): Plentiful sunshine; morning lows in the low-to-mid 50s°F, highs climbing to the upper 80s–low 90s°F (potentially 89–93°F). Light/variable winds (calm to N 3–8 mph).
- Saturday–Sunday (Rounds 3–4): Partly cloudy trend; highs cooling into the mid-70s to low 80s°F. Overnight lows remain in the 50s–low 60s°F. Light breezes persist.
Warm, dry, and breezy-early conditions will firm up the course, increase roll, and place a premium on accuracy and heat management. UV index high — players and fans should prepare accordingly. Perfect scoring weather with no interruptions expected.
Tournament History
The Fortinet Founders Cup (formerly Cognizant Founders Cup and others) is in its 15th edition and honors the 13 Founding Members of the LPGA who established the Tour in 1950. This marks the first playing at Sharon Heights after previous stops in Florida, New Jersey, and Arizona.
Recent Winners (and scores to par):
- 2025 (Bradenton CC): Yealimi Noh (−21) — first Rolex First-Time Winner; beat Jin Young Ko by 4
- 2024 (Upper Montclair CC): Rose Zhang (−24) — her second pro victory
- 2023 (Upper Montclair CC): Jin Young Ko (−13) — defeated Minjee Lee in playoff
- 2022: Minjee Lee (−19)
- 2021: Jin Young Ko (−18)
Key Records (from prior venues): Lowest round 61; 72-hole record 261 (−27). The event has produced multiple first-time winners and dramatic finishes. Purse: $3,000,000 (winner’s share $450,000 + 500 CME points).
2026 Season Form & Key Player Matchups
The LPGA’s first full-field U.S. event of the year features an elite field: 20 of the top-25 Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings and 25 rookies. Favorites & Storylines to Watch:
- Jeeno Thitikul (Rolex No. 1) — Clear betting favorite and early-season dominator with elite ball-striking and putting. New course suits her all-around game.
- Nelly Korda (Rolex No. 2) — Fresh off an Orlando win; power and short-game wizardry make her dangerous on hilly, narrow layouts.
- Hyo Joo Kim (2015 champion) — Already hot with a first-round 63; course history edge and iron play fit perfectly.
- Rose Zhang & Yealimi Noh — Recent winners returning with momentum; Zhang (Stanford alum) has local knowledge.
- Other Live Threats: Minjee Lee, Miyu Yamashita, Lydia Ko (Bay Area resident/Hall of Famer), Hye-Jin Choi, Haeran Ryu, Akie Iwai, Nasa Hataoka, Lottie Woad.
Key Matchups: Thitikul vs. Korda (World No. 1 vs. No. 2 clash); defending Noh vs. Zhang (back-to-back champions); past winner Hyo Joo Kim vs. rising stars like Ryu and the Iwai sisters. The narrow, hilly layout will reward accuracy off the tee and scrambling — expect a grind where GIR and putts-per-GIR decide it.
Betting Trends
- Ball-strikers and hot putters dominate Founders Cup history.
- New course = form over history; top-25 Rolex players have won 4 of the last 5.
- Narrow fairways and elevation reward SG: Approach and scrambling — look for consistent tee-to-green performers.
- Early-week heat may inflate Thursday/Friday scoring for live betting. Heavy money already on Thitikul and Korda.
