England’s rising star Mimi Rhodes signaled that she belongs among the contenders at the Chevron Championship, even as world No. 2 Nelly Korda seized control of the first women’s major of the 2026 season. Korda’s flawless round of seven‑under‑par 65, the best start she has recorded at a major in four years, placed her two strokes ahead of Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and South Korea’s Somi Lee after the opening day in Houston. Among the amateurs, American Farah O’Keefe impressed with a 68 that left her tied for fourth, while LPGA rookie Rhodes posted a solid 69 on her debut, landing her in a ten‑way tie for eighth place.
Rhodes reflected on her preparation, saying, “I think I felt ready. Getting here on Sunday helped – I got to walk the course a bit more and be on site longer.
It gave me a better feel for the layout.” She added that familiarity with the surroundings allowed her to settle in, “I was more comfortable finding my bearings, did as much prep as I could, and felt confident heading into the round. It was really about committing to my shots and trusting my game.” Rhodes also drew confidence from her recent performance at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, where she finished six‑under and tied for 10th. “That event was different mentally because I had an invitation and there was no cut, so I could play more freely,” she explained. “I’ve tried to take that relaxed mindset into this major.
When you’re confident and not worrying about the cut line, you tend to hit better golf in the first round.” She emphasized the importance of staying relaxed throughout the tournament, noting, “This is the first major of the year, with three more to go. I want to play relaxed golf and not put too much pressure on myself.” In contrast, fellow Englishwoman and world No. 4 Charley Hull started her quest for a maiden major title with a level‑par 72, leaving her five strokes behind the leader and tied for 26th after round one. Hull, who was runner‑up at the 2016 Chevron Championship, has returned to the event after missing the cut in Texas the previous year and is eager to improve on that result.
Tavatanakit posted a bogey‑free round featuring five birdies in her first 18 holes, while Lee recorded six birdies before a late‑round stumble cost her a shot. China’s Yan Liu also made an early impact, carding a four‑under‑par 68 to sit just behind the leading duo, before Rhodes settled into a group tied at three‑under. Rhodes began her round strongly, birdieing two of her first three holes before a bogey on the fourth halted her momentum.
She recovered with three more birdies to reach the turn in 32 strokes, and a solitary bogey at the 11th was the only blemish on her back nine, leaving her with a respectable score that kept her within striking distance of the leaders. Hull’s front nine was flawless, a 35 that included a birdie at the third hole, but she faltered after the turn, dropping three bogeys. She managed to claw back a bit with two birdies surrounding a dropped shot on the final three holes, showing resilience despite the setbacks.
The defending champion, Japan’s Mao Saigo, entered the tournament after clinching a dramatic playoff victory in 2025. She will be looking to repeat her success as the field tightens over the coming days. As the tournament progresses, fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, with second‑round coverage beginning on Friday at 4 p.m.
on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event. The Chevron Championship will also be streamed without a contract, offering viewers flexible access. Beyond the competition, golf enthusiasts are encouraged to explore booking options at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland. By entering a course name, city, or postcode, players can find the best prices and secure a tee time for a round of golf, whether they are looking for a casual round or a more competitive experience.
Overall, the opening day of the 2026 Chevron Championship set the stage for an exciting major. Korda’s commanding lead, Rhodes’s promising debut, and Hull’s ongoing pursuit of her first major title provide multiple storylines to watch as the tournament unfolds. The blend of seasoned champions and emerging talent ensures that the weeks ahead will be filled with high‑quality golf, dramatic swings, and the potential for new history to be written on the Houston course.