LPGA's Chevron Championship moving to Houston muni

The Chevron Championship is officially moving to Houston's public Memorial Park Golf Course this spring.

The LPGA Tour's first major of the season for the past three years was held at The Club at Carlton Woods outside Houston.

The tournament is scheduled for April 23-26. The municipal course also hosts the PGA Tour's Houston Open, scheduled for March 26-29, meaning the LPGA event can take advantage of the grandstands already in place and other tournament-ready conditions.

"Moving the Chevron Championship to Memorial Park Golf Course strengthens that vision," LPGA commissioner Craig Kessler said in a news release. "It brings the event closer to the heart of Houston, connecting more fans and communities to our athletes, and helping ensure this major ... continues to shine as one of the game's most meaningful stages."

Before relocating to the Houston area in 2023, the tournament was played in Rancho Mirage, Calif. It has been a major since 1983 and previously was known as the Dinah Shore Open with Nabisco among its title sponsors.

Mao Saigo of Japan is the defending champion.

The tradition of the winner jumping into the pond by the 18th hole, which began in California and continued at Carlton Woods, will likely end as there is no pond at Memorial Park.