The Epson Tour Championship was still months away from its debut in Indian Wells when the LPGA announced a change that immediately raised the stakes.
At the time, the City of Indian Wells had just agreed to bring the season-ending championship of the LPGA's developmental tour to Indian Wells Golf Resort, viewing the event as a way to showcase the city-owned facility while potentially laying the groundwork for a future LPGA return to the Coachella Valley. Then came another boost: the LPGA expanded the number of tour cards available through the Epson Tour from 10 to 15, turning the Tour Championship into one of the most important weeks of the year for aspiring LPGA players.
Three years later, that partnership has become a long-term commitment.
The
Epson Tour and the City of Indian Wells announced a three-year extension that will keep the Epson Tour Championship at Indian Wells Golf Resort through 2029. The agreement means the championship will remain in the desert for at least six consecutive years after first arriving in 2024.
This year's championship returns Oct. 1-4 to the resort's renovated Players Course after the tournament was contested on the Celebrity Course in 2025 while renovations were completed. The 80-player field will compete in a 72-hole, no-cut event for a $300,000 purse, with the winner earning $100,000, the first six-figure first-place prize in tournament history.
"We are beyond honored to continue hosting the Epson Tour Championship through 2029 as well as showcasing its exceptionally talented players as they vie to compete on the LPGA Tour," said Robin Graf, general manager of Indian Wells Golf Resort.
When Indian Wells first secured the event, local officials hoped the championship would give the resort national exposure and demonstrate the area's support for women's professional golf. The tournament quickly became a pivotal stop on the Epson Tour schedule, serving as the finale to the season-long race for LPGA status.
The new agreement includes several additions, beginning in 2027. Every player in the field will receive a complimentary hotel room at a local resort during tournament week, the final two rounds and LPGA card ceremony will be livestreamed; and the Epson Tour will introduce a Champions Dinner honoring each tournament winner from throughout the season.
The extension also comes after a major renovation of the Players Course, completed in December 2025 and led by original architect John Fought. Among the most notable changes were redesigned finishing holes, including relocated 17th and 18th holes that now create a more connected closing stretch. The ninth hole was also moved closer to the clubhouse, improving access to food-and-beverage amenities for players and spectators.
“The entire staff at Indian Wells Golf Resort takes immense pride in our status as one of the finest golf facilities in the country, and this extension reflects our commitment to providing the highest quality experience for not only our guests, but for some of the best golfers in the world,” Graf said.
Tim Schmitt is the managing editor of Golfweek.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Epson Tour Championship deal extended in Indian Wells
