Nelly Korda has surged into the lead at the Chevron Championship, the first women’s major of the year, while England’s Mimi Rhodes has put herself in contention.
Korda, the world No 2, carded a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 in Houston. It was her best start to a major in four years. Rhodes impressed with an opening-round 69 to finish four shots behind.
Korda’s Strong Start
Korda’s 65 gave her a two-shot lead over Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and Korea’s Somi Lee.
American amateur Farah O’Keefe was part of a four-way tie for fourth after an opening 68. Rhodes, an LPGA rookie, shot a 69 on her tournament debut to be part of a 10-way tie for eighth.
Rhodes’ Comfortable Performance
Rhodes said she felt ready for the tournament, adding that getting to the course on Sunday allowed her to see it more and be more comfortable on site.
“I mean, I did as much prep as I could and, yeah, felt comfortable coming into this round. So, yeah, was just more about committing and being confident out there, which I thought I did,” said Rhodes.
Rhodes added that she had taken lessons from her impressive performance at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, where she finished six-under in a tie for 10th.
Hull’s Opening Round
Rhodes’ compatriot and world No 4 Charley Hull kicked off her bid for a first major title with a level-par 72.
Hull sat five shots back and in a tie for 26th after shooting a level par 72 in the first women’s major of 2026.
How Others Fared
Tavatanakit was bogey-free with five birdies across her first 18, while Lee shot six birdies before dropping a shot on her final hole of the day.
China’s Yan Liu followed the early leading duo on four-under after her round of 68, before Rhodes nestled into a group tied on three-under.
Rhodes managed two birdies in her opening three holes, before being pegged back by a bogey-five at the fourth. She mustered three more birdies to make the turn in 32, before a bogey at the 11th served as the only blemish along her back nine.
Hull was blemish-free across a front nine 35 that included a birdie at the third, but came unstuck by three.
- Nelly Korda leads the Chevron Championship after the first round.
- Mimi Rhodes is in contention, four shots behind Korda.
- Charley Hull is at level par after her opening round.
The second round of The Chevron Championship can be watched from 4pm on Friday live on Sky Sports Golf.