• LPGA season opener begins Jan. 29 at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando.
  • Field features 39 LPGA winners and 44 celebrity players in a modified Stableford format.
  • Featured groups include Nelly Korda with Kevin Millar and Robbie Amell, and Jeeno Thitikul with Mardy Fish and Taylor Twellman.
  • Full tee times and broadcast details are available on the LPGA website.

H2: Tournament opener in Orlando

The 2026 LPGA season kicks off this week at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, held at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Fla. The event brings together 39 recent LPGA winners alongside 44 celebrities competing in their own modified Stableford division. Play begins Thursday, and fans can expect large galleries and a star-studded pairing sheet.

H3: Why the field matters

This event is unique: the main field is exclusive to players who won LPGA events over the past two seasons, while the celebrity division adds entertainment and cross-sport interest. The setup gives viewers a mix of elite professional golf and pop-culture appeal as athletes, actors and former pro-sports stars tee off in the modified Stableford format.

H3: Group spotlight — Nelly Korda, Kevin Millar, Robbie Amell

Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 2 Nelly Korda tees off in Orlando aiming to open 2026 with a win. Korda has played this tournament for eight consecutive years and has posted five top-five finishes in seven prior starts at Lake Nona. She finished solo second in 2025 and closed the season with strong metrics in strokes gained off the tee, par-5 scoring and birdie rate. Korda’s combination of distance and accuracy makes her a constant threat on this layout.

Joining Korda in her featured group are former MLB player Kevin Millar and actor Robbie Amell. Millar is a World Series champion who has competed in the celebrity division, while Amell — known for roles in The DUFF and Upload — is an enthusiastic amateur golfer and regular spectator at LPGA events.

H3: Group spotlight — Jeeno Thitikul, Mardy Fish, Taylor Twellman

World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul headlines another early pairing after a breakthrough 2025 season. The 22-year-old won three times last year, secured Rolex Player of the Year honors, captured the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average and topped the Race to the CME Globe. Thitikul is making her Lake Nona debut in 2026 but arrives as the form player to watch.

Her featured group includes former tennis pro Mardy Fish, a two-time winner of the celebrity division, and retired soccer star Taylor Twellman. Both bring competitive sports backgrounds and fan followings that boost the event’s profile.

H2: How to follow

Tee times and pairings are posted on the LPGA website. Broadcast and streaming information is also available there for international and U.S. viewers. Follow LPGA social channels for highlights, interviews and live updates throughout the tournament week.

The Tournament of Champions offers a brisk, engaging start to the LPGA season — pitting established stars against a vibrant celebrity field and setting the tone for 2026 competition.

Image Referance: https://www.lpga.com/news/2026/featured-groups-2026-hilton-grand-vacation-tournament-of-champions