Epson Tour Championship Returns to Indian Wells for Third Year

By Staff Writer

September 9, 2026

1 min read

LoopGolf

Key takeaways

The Epson Tour Championship returns to Indian Wells Golf Resort for a third straight year, Sept. 28-Oct. 4.
The top 15 finishers earn 2027 LPGA Tour cards.
The field expands to 80 players with a no-cut, 72-hole format for the first time in 2026.
The purse rises to $250,000, with $100,000 to the winner — the event's first six-figure top prize.
The Players Course reopened in December 2025 after a $13 million renovation by architect John Fought.

The Epson Tour Championship will return to Indian Wells Golf Resort in California for a third consecutive year, running Sept. 28 through Oct. 4 as the LPGA's top developmental circuit closes out its season.

What's new about the 2026 format?

The tournament expands to an 80-player field and drops the cut for the first time, meaning every player competes all 72 holes. The purse climbs to $250,000, with $100,000 going to the champion. It is the first time an Epson Tour Championship winner has taken home a six-figure check. The top 15 finishers on the final leaderboard earn cards for the 2027 LPGA Tour.

Which course is hosting the championship?

Play returns to the Players Course at Indian Wells Golf Resort, which reopened in December 2025 after a $13 million renovation led by architect John Fought, who first redesigned the course in 2007. It sits alongside the resort's Celebrity Course, which was renovated ahead of the 2025 championship. The City of Indian Wells continues on as presenting sponsor. "This is where dreams are realized," said Epson Tour general manager Jody Brothers.