England’s rising star Mimi Rhodes positioned herself among the leaders at the Chevron Championship, even as world No. 2 Nelly Korda seized the early advantage in the season’s first women’s major. Korda delivered a flawless round of 65, seven under par, marking her best opening score at a major in four years and establishing a two‑stroke lead over Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and South Korea’s Somi Lee.
Amateur Farah O’Keefe, representing the United States, also made a splash, sharing a four‑way tie for fourth place after carding a 68 in the opening round. Meanwhile, LPGA rookie Rhodes posted a respectable 69 on her debut, which placed her in a ten‑way tie for eighth.
Rhodes explained that familiarity with the course helped her performance: “I think I felt ready. Getting here on Sunday was probably a benefit to me because I could see the course a bit more and just be on site a bit more.” She added, “I feel a bit more comfortable getting my bearings around.
I did as much prep as I could and felt comfortable coming into this round. It was just about committing and being confident out there, which I think I did.” She also reflected on the confidence she gained from her recent showing at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, where she finished six under par and tied for 10th place. “That event was different mentally because I had an invite and there was no cut, so I could play more freely,” Rhodes said.
“I’ve taken those emotions out of the equation because I tend to play well in the first round when I’m confident, committing to my shots and not worrying about the cut line. That’s what I aimed to do here – play relaxed golf in the first major of the year and not put too much pressure on myself. There are four more majors to go.” Charley Hull, Rhodes’s compatriot and world No.
4, got off to a modest start with an even‑par 72, leaving her five strokes behind Korda and tied for 26th after the first round. Hull’s round was steady on the front nine, where she posted a 35 that included a birdie on the third hole, but she stumbled on the back nine with three bogeys, though she recovered with two late birdies to improve her standing. Tavatanakit’s round was bogey‑free, featuring five birdies in the first 18 holes, while Lee recorded six birdies before a late‑day bogey cost her a stroke. China’s Yan Liu also joined the early leaders, posting a four‑under 68 before Rhodes settled into a group tied at three under.
Rhodes’s round began strongly with two birdies in her first three holes, though a bogey‑five on the fourth hole slowed her momentum. She rebounded with three more birdies to reach the turn in 32 strokes, and a single bogey on the 11th hole was the only blemish on her back nine, allowing her to finish at three under. Hull’s front nine was flawless, but three bogeys after the turn threatened her position. She managed to salvage the round with two birdies surrounding a dropped shot in the final three holes, demonstrating resilience despite the challenges.
Hull, who was runner‑up at the Chevron in 2016, continues to chase her first major title. She returned to the tournament after missing the cut in Texas the previous year, showing determination to improve her performance.
Defending champion Mao Saigo entered the week with confidence after securing a playoff victory in 2025, adding another storyline to the competition. The Chevron Championship will continue to unfold over the coming week, with live coverage on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event starting at 4 pm on Friday for the second round. Viewers can also stream the event without a contract, following the tournament’s progression and watching the drama develop as the field battles for the coveted title. Beyond the tournament, golf enthusiasts can explore booking options at more than 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, with price comparisons available online.
While searching for a course by entering a location or postal code may sometimes return no results, the platform offers a wide selection for players of all levels seeking to enjoy the game. Overall, the opening major of the 2026 season has set the stage for an exciting series of contests, with Korda’s early dominance, Rhodes’s promising debut, and Hull’s quest for redemption all contributing to a compelling narrative that will keep fans engaged throughout the tournament.