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Lexi Thompson will miss the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship because of a hip injury. The injury also forced her to withdraw from the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan last week. Tournament officials confirmed her withdrawal before the season’s third major championship. Thompson shared her disappointment after leaving the Meijer LPGA Classic. She explained that the injury prevented her from competing at the level she expects. As a result, she will not tee it up at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. The 31-year-old American has played a limited schedule this season. Last year, she announced plans to step away from full-time LPGA competition. Therefore, she has made only six starts during 2026.
Her best finish came at the Chevron Championship. She tied for 12th place in the year’s first major. However, injuries and inconsistent results have created a difficult season. Earlier this month, Thompson also failed to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open. That result ended an impressive streak of 19 consecutive appearances. She had played in every U.S. Women’s Open since 2007. Thompson owns 11 LPGA Tour victories. Her biggest win came at the 2014 Chevron Championship. She also produced strong results recently at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. She finished tied for 12th in 2025 and tied for ninth in 2024. Following Thompson’s withdrawal, Spain’s Carolina Chacarra moved into the championship field. Meanwhile, attention shifts toward one of the strongest fields in women’s golf.
The PGA of America, KPMG, and the LPGA announced the official field for the championship. The event will take place June 25-28 at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Notably, every player inside the top 100 of the Race to CME Globe Rankings earned a place in the field. Defending champion Minjee Lee returns to defend her title. Lee captured the championship in 2025 and arrives among the favorites once again. However, she faces a deep group of former champions and rising stars. The field includes Amy Yang, the 2024 champion. Ruoning Yin, the 2023 champion, also returns. In addition, In Gee Chun, Nelly Korda, Sei Young Kim, Hannah Green, Sung Hyun Park, Danielle Kang, Brooke Henderson, Yani Tseng, and Anna Nordqvist will compete.
Nelly Korda enters the tournament as the world’s number one player. Furthermore, many observers view her as one of the leading contenders for the title. Her strong season has placed her near the top of every major championship discussion. The field also includes several notable exemptions. Amari Avery earned one of those spots after an outstanding Epson Tour season. Avery currently leads the 2026 Race for the Card standings. She also claimed victory at the IOA Championship and recorded three top-10 finishes. Kate Smith-Stroh received another exemption. Smith-Stroh joined the LPGA Tour in 2025 after a successful collegiate career at the University of Nebraska. During college, she won the Big Ten Championship and earned Big Ten Golfer of the Year honors in 2021.
Another compelling storyline involves the Corebridge Financial Team. Eight PGA of America and LPGA Professionals secured places in the championship field. Those players include Sandra Changkija, Joanna Coe, Nicole Felce, Loretta Giovannettone, Allie Knight, Kim Paez, Natalie Vivaldi, and Allie White. Among those professionals, Nicole Felce brings special local interest. Felce hails from Trinity, Florida, making her a local favorite for many fans in the Tampa Bay area. In addition, Felce remains a friend of The Walker Report podcast. Therefore, her appearance provides another reason for local supporters to follow the championship closely. Felce earned her place through strong performances in professional qualifying events. Consequently, she now receives an opportunity to compete against the world’s best players on one of golf’s biggest stages.
The final spot in the championship field remains reserved for the winner of the 2026 Meijer LPGA Classic. That addition will complete a field loaded with elite talent and compelling storylines. Ultimately, the biggest news entering championship week centers on Thompson’s absence. Her hip injury removes one of the sport’s most recognizable names from the field. Nevertheless, the tournament still features defending champions, major winners, top-ranked players, and emerging stars. As the action begins at Hazeltine, players such as Korda, Lee, Yin, Green, and Henderson will chase another major title.
Meanwhile, local supporters will watch Nicole Felce with added interest. Her journey from the Tampa Bay area to a major championship spotlight creates one of the event’s feel-good stories. Although Thompson’s injury represents a disappointing development, the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship still promises a world-class field and plenty of excitement
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker serves as the Director of Operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a co-host on the P&W Sports Report and hosting The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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