England’s Charley Hull got off to a sluggish start on the first day of the Chevron Championship, finding herself well off the leaderboard, whereas fellow English competitor Mimi Rhodes kept herself within striking distance, finishing just two strokes shy of the early clubhouse leaders. When Hull completed her opening round, she was tied for 26th place, five shots back, after carding an even‑par 72 in the inaugural women’s major of the 2026 season. Her round was steady but lacked the firepower needed to contend with the leaders, and the gap she left on the leaderboard underscored the challenges she faced on the demanding course.
Rhodes, on the other hand, posted a three‑under‑par 69, which positioned her just behind Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and South Korea’s Somi Lee. Both Tavatanakit and Lee had produced spectacular five‑under‑par rounds of 67, setting a brisk early pace for the tournament. Tavatanakit’s round was flawless, free of any bogeys, as she birdied five of her first eighteen holes.
Lee, meanwhile, recorded six birdies before a late‑round mishap on the final hole cost her a stroke. "I think I felt ready," Rhodes said in the post‑round interview. "Getting here on Sunday was probably a benefit to me because I was able to see the course a bit more and just be on site a bit more.
I feel a bit more comfortable getting my bearings around. I mean, I did as much prep as I could and, yeah, felt comfortable coming into this round. So, yeah, it was just more about committing and being confident out there, which I thought I did." Rhodes also highlighted how her recent showing at the HSBC Women’s World Championship had helped build her confidence.
In that event she posted a six‑under‑par 10th‑place tie, a performance that gave her valuable experience in handling pressure and fine‑tuning her game ahead of a major. She added, "I feel like it was quite different mentally because I had got an invite into there and there wasn’t a cut so you could play more freely.
I’ve kind of taken those emotions out of there because I tend to play well in the first round if I’m confident in myself, if I’m committing to shots, if I’m not worried about the cut line. So that’s what I’ve come in to do here.
You know, first major of the year. There are four more to go, so just play relaxed golf out there and not put too much pressure on myself." China’s Yan Liu followed the early leaders, posting a four‑under‑par 68 and briefly sharing the top of the leaderboard before Rhodes slipped back into a three‑under tie with other competitors. Rhodes started her round strongly, making birdies on two of her first three holes, but a bogey on the fourth hole momentarily halted her momentum. She recovered by adding three more birdies before the turn, reaching a 32 on the front nine.
The back nine was largely smooth, with only a single bogey on the 11th hole marring an otherwise solid performance. Hull’s round, while free of any major mistakes on the front nine where she posted a respectable 35 and birdied the third hole, was later derailed by three bogeys after the turn. She managed to claw back a little by making two birdies on the final three holes, but the damage had already been done, leaving her five strokes behind the leaders. Hull, who was runner‑up at the Chevron Championship back in 2016, is still chasing her first major title.
She returned to the event after missing the cut in Texas at the same tournament a year earlier, hoping to rediscover the form that once saw her contend for the trophy. Defending champion Mao Saigo entered the week with confidence after securing a dramatic playoff victory in 2025, having bested four other players to retain the crown. Her presence adds another layer of intrigue to a field that already includes several rising stars and seasoned veterans. Fans eager to see how the tournament unfolds can follow the action live on Sky Sports throughout the week.
The second round coverage begins on Friday at 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming options available for those without a traditional contract. The Chevron Championship promises to deliver high‑quality golf, compelling storylines, and the chance to witness the emergence of the next major champion. Beyond the tournament itself, golfers and enthusiasts can take advantage of special offers to book a round at any of the 1,700 courses across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
By entering a city, course name, or postal code, players can find the best prices and secure tee times, ensuring that the spirit of the game continues long after the major has concluded. In summary, while Charley Hull’s opening round left her trailing the leaders, Mimi Rhodes demonstrated poise and competitive fire, positioning herself as a serious contender. With the tournament still in its early stages, the leaderboard remains fluid, and the next few days will be crucial in determining who can sustain their early momentum and ultimately claim the Chevron Championship title.