Menlo Park, California, August 27, 2025
News Summary
Fortinet has been announced as the new multiyear sponsor for the Founders Cup, set to take place in Menlo Park, California. The tournament’s purse will increase to $3 million, making it one of the richest non-major events on the LPGA Tour. The Founders Cup honors the LPGA’s founders and has a rich history of showcasing top female golfers. With the upcoming event at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club, both players and fans can look forward to an exciting tournament that celebrates women’s golf while also promoting opportunities for future generations.
Menlo Park — Fortinet Takes the Title as Founders Cup Sponsor, Headed to California in 2026
Hold onto your scorecards — big changes are landing in the LPGA world. In a move that shakes up the early-season calendar, cybersecurity company Fortinet is stepping in as the new multiyear sponsor of the Founders Cup. The tournament is set for March 19–22, 2026 at the historic Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club in Menlo Park, California.
What’s new and what fans should watch
This deal boosts the tournament’s profile and its wallet: the 2026 purse will be $3 million, up from the $2 million payout in 2025. That jump puts the Founders Cup among the richest non-major stops on the LPGA Tour, and it’s a clear signal that this event is being positioned as a must-play, must-watch week for the world’s top women golfers.
A tournament built on history and movement
The Founders Cup was created to honor the 13 founding women who established the LPGA, and over the years it has evolved from a charity-focused kickoff — the inaugural 2011 edition featured a mock purse with proceeds going to charity — into one of the circuit’s marquee events. The tournament has relocated several times, moving from Arizona and New Jersey, touching Florida in 2025 with LPGA-backed financing, and now landing in Northern California.
The 2025 stop in Florida produced a headline-making outcome when Yealimi Noh fired her way to her first LPGA victory. Past champions on the trophy list include big names and major winners such as Jin Young Ko, Minjee Lee, Stacy Lewis, and Anna Nordqvist — names that underscore how seriously players treat this week.
Sharon Heights: a fresh face with deep roots
Sharon Heights is no fly-by-night club. With more than 60 years of history, the course recently underwent a major renovation in 2023 led by architect Todd Eckenrode of Origins Golf Design. The refresh focused on showcasing natural beauty and sustainability, blending modern design touches with the club’s classic bones — a backdrop that should suit an event that honors legacy while looking forward.
Why Fortinet and why now
Fortinet, founded in Silicon Valley in 2000, is a global force in cybersecurity with a deep patent portfolio. The timing of this sponsorship puts technology and sport together in a region known for innovation. The partnership aims to inspire younger players and advance opportunities for women in golf, while giving the Founders Cup a strong regional identity in Northern California — an area with a solid LPGA history that has hosted major events like the U.S. Women’s Open.
How the LPGA kept the show on the road
After the previous title sponsor, Cognizant, stepped away following 2024, the LPGA temporarily bankrolled the 2025 event in Florida. That move kept the tournament alive while the tour worked to lock in a long-term partner. The Fortinet deal now provides stability and a lift in prize money — something players and fans will notice right away.
What this means for players and fans
- Bigger stakes: A larger purse raises the competitive stakes and attracts top talent.
- More visibility: A Silicon Valley sponsor could bring fresh audiences and new media interest to the event week.
- Legacy honored: The Founders Cup keeps its mission to celebrate the LPGA’s founders while boosting programs to encourage girls and women in golf.
Expect Menlo Park to become a lively stop on the LPGA calendar in March 2026. The combination of a renovated classic course, a big purse, and a sponsor rooted in the region makes this one of the most talk-worthy early-season tournaments on the schedule.
Quick context for the history buffs and stat hounds
The Founders Cup has steadily become one of the LPGA’s top events, clocking in with one of the largest purses outside the majors and drawing winners who are household names in women’s golf. With Fortinet in the title slot and Sharon Heights ready to host, the stage is set for another memorable chapter in the tournament’s relatively short but colorful history.
FAQ
When and where is the 2026 Founders Cup?
The 2026 Founders Cup will be played March 19–22, 2026 at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club in Menlo Park, California.
Who is sponsoring the Founders Cup?
Fortinet has signed a multiyear agreement to be the title sponsor of the Founders Cup beginning with the 2026 event.
How much is the purse for 2026?
The purse for the 2026 Founders Cup is set at $3 million, up from $2 million in 2025.
Why is the Founders Cup important?
The event honors the 13 women who founded the LPGA and has grown into one of the tour’s marquee tournaments, offering one of the largest purses for non-major events.
Has the tournament been played in other states?
Yes. Since its debut in 2011 (which featured a mock purse devoted to charity), the Founders Cup has been held in several locations, including Arizona, New Jersey, and Florida.
Who are some past winners?
Past champions include Jin Young Ko, Minjee Lee, Stacy Lewis, Anna Nordqvist, and Yealimi Noh, who won her first LPGA title in 2025.
At-a-glance: Founders Cup 2026 Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Founders Cup |
| Dates | March 19–22, 2026 |
| Location | Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club, Menlo Park, California |
| Title Sponsor | Fortinet (multiyear agreement) |
| Purse | $3,000,000 |
| Notable past winners | Jin Young Ko, Minjee Lee, Stacy Lewis, Anna Nordqvist, Yealimi Noh (2025) |
| Course notes | Sharon Heights renovated in 2023 by Todd Eckenrode (Origins Golf Design); focuses on natural beauty and sustainability |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
LPGA Tour Unveils Ambitious Tournament Schedule
LPGA Tour 2025 Schedule Unveiled with Record Prize Money
Additional Resources
- LPGA: Fortinet Named Title Partner of the Founders Cup
- Sports Illustrated: LPGA Tournament Finds New Title Sponsor
- ESPN: Yealimi Noh Wins Founders Cup – First LPGA Tour Victory
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Founders Cup
- Google Search: Founders Cup LPGA
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