DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – The Ladies Professional Golf Association has announced the creation of four amateur exemptions in collaboration with the United States Golf Association, The R&A, Augusta National, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
An exemption into the 2026 Standard Portland Classic will be extended to the winners of this year’s U.S. Women’s Amateur, The Women’s Amateur Championship, Augusta National Women’s Amateur, and NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship (Individual).
This will be the first time that the winners of all four amateur events listed above will have the opportunity to compete in the same LPGA Tour event.
“This is about deepening our connections across the game and aligning around a shared commitment to the future of women’s golf,” said LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler. “We’re proud to stand alongside the USGA, The R&A, Augusta National, and the NCAA in creating a clear pathway from amateur excellence to professional golf. When we’re aligned, the entire ecosystem is stronger.
“We’re grateful to The Standard Portland Classic for leaning into this vision and for providing these future stars a chance to compete against the best players in the world on the LPGA Tour.”
The Standard Portland Classic will take place at Columbia Edgewater Country Club from Aug. 13-16. As one of the longest events on the LPGA Tour, The Standard Portland Classic has a rich history that has lent to the amateurs and young professionals. In 2025, there were four amateurs in the field with three receiving a sponsor invite to participate.
Kiara Romero, one of those sponsor invites and current No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, notably finished in the top 10.
