England’s rising star Mimi Rhodes has thrown her hat into the ring at the Chevron Championship, positioning herself among the early leaders while Nelly Korda asserted dominance in the opening round of the first women’s major of the 2026 season. World No. 2 Korda delivered a flawless, bogey‑free round of 65, seven under par, marking her best start to a major in four years. Her performance placed her two strokes ahead of Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and South Korea’s Somi Lee, both of whom posted solid scores to sit just behind the leader.
American amateur Farah O’Keefe also made a strong impression, sharing a four‑way tie for fourth place after carding a 68. Meanwhile, LPGA rookie Mimi Rhodes recorded a 69 on her debut at the tournament, which was enough to place her in a ten‑way tie for eighth after the first day’s play. "I think I felt ready," Rhodes said when asked about her preparation.
"Getting here on Sunday was probably a benefit to me because I was able to see the course a little more and just be on site a bit longer." She added that the extra time allowed her to become more comfortable with the layout, saying, "I feel a bit more comfortable getting my bearings around. I did as much prep as I could and, yeah, felt comfortable coming into this round. So it was really about committing to my shots and having confidence, which I think I managed." Rhodes 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 invitation and there was no cut, so I could play more freely," she explained. "I’ve taken those positive emotions and carried them forward. I tend to play well in the first round when I’m confident, when I’m committing to each shot and not worrying about the cut line." She continued, "That’s the mindset I brought to the Chevron – it’s the first major of the year, there are four more to go, so I’m trying to stay relaxed, play good golf and not put too much pressure on myself." In contrast, Rhodes’ compatriot and world No. 4 Charley Hull began her quest for a maiden major title with a level‑par 72.
Hull’s round left her five strokes behind the leader and tied for 26th after the opening day. Hull, who was the runner‑up at the 2016 Chevron Championship, is still seeking that elusive first major victory after missing the cut in Texas the previous year. Patty Tavatanakit posted a bogey‑free round, featuring five birdies in her first 18 holes, while Somi Lee recorded six birdies before a single bogey on her final hole of the day. China’s Yan Liu also made her presence felt, posting a four‑under 68 to sit just ahead of the group tied on three‑under that included Rhodes.
Rhodes got off to a flying start, carding two birdies in her first three holes before a bogey on the fourth hole slowed her momentum. She recovered by adding three more birdies to reach the turn in 32 strokes, and the only blemish on her back nine was a solitary bogey at the 11th. Overall, her round of 69 placed her firmly in the top‑ten and demonstrated her ability to combine aggressive play with steady composure.
Hull’s front nine was flawless, a 35‑stroke stretch that featured a birdie on the third hole. However, after the turn she struggled, dropping three bogeys. She managed to steady herself with two birdies on the back nine, sandwiching a dropped shot, and finished with a respectable even‑par 72. The defending champion, Japan’s Mao Saigo, entered the tournament with the confidence of a recent major winner, having secured the 2025 Chevron Championship after a dramatic playoff against four other contenders.
Looking ahead, the question on everyone’s mind is who will ultimately capture the Chevron title. The tournament will continue to unfold over the next week, with live coverage of the second round slated to begin on Friday at 4 p.m.
on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event. Fans can also stream the action without a contract through various online platforms. Beyond the competition itself, the Chevron Championship serves as a showcase for the depth of talent on the women’s game, highlighting both seasoned veterans like Hull and Korda and emerging talents such as Rhodes and O’Keefe.
Their performances this week will shape the narrative for the remainder of the 2026 LPGA season, influencing rankings, confidence levels, and the momentum heading into the next major championships. For those interested in experiencing golf firsthand, there are opportunities to book tee times at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland. Golf enthusiasts can search by course name, city, or postal code to find the best deals and plan their own round of the sport.
As the tournament progresses, viewers can stay updated on scores, player interviews, and analysis by following Sky Sports on WhatsApp, which provides the latest news, videos, features, and expert commentary. In summary, the opening round of the Chevron Championship has set the stage for an exciting major. Nelly Korda’s commanding lead, Mimi Rhodes’ promising debut, and Charley Hull’s steady pursuit of her first major all contribute to a compelling storyline that will unfold over the coming days.
The competition remains wide open, and golf fans worldwide will be watching closely to see who ultimately lifts the coveted Chevron trophy.