England’s rising star Mimi Rhodes has thrust herself into the mix at the Chevron Championship, even as world No. 2 Nelly Korda seized control of the tournament, the first women’s major of the 2026 season. Korda delivered a flawless, bogey‑free round of 65, seven under par, marking her best opening performance at a major in four years.

Her stellar play placed her two strokes ahead of Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and South Korea’s Somi Lee, establishing a clear early lead. American amateur Farah O'Keefe also made a splash, posting a 68 that put her into a four‑way tie for fourth place.

Meanwhile, LPGA rookie Mimi Rhodes, playing her debut in a major, carded a respectable 69, which positioned her within a ten‑player tie for eighth after the first round. Rhodes explained that she felt well‑prepared for the challenge. “I think I felt ready,” she said. “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.” She added that familiarity with the layout helped her settle in, allowing her to focus on committing to each shot with confidence.

“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, yeah, it was just about committing and being confident out there, which I think I did.” Rhodes also reflected on her strong showing at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, where she finished six under par and tied for 10th. “That experience was different mentally because I had an invitation and there was no cut, so I could play more freely,” she noted. She believes that freedom helped her develop a mental edge that she is now applying to major competition. “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. It’s the first major of the year, there are four more to go, so I’m just trying to play relaxed golf and not put too much pressure on myself.” In contrast, fellow Englishwoman and world No.

4 Charley Hull opened 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 edition of the Chevron Championship, is still chasing her first major title.

She missed the cut in Texas the previous year, making her return to the event all the more significant. Tavatanakit posted a bogey‑free round, recording five birdies in the first 18 holes, while Lee notched six birdies before a late‑round stumble cost her a shot.

China’s Yan Liu also made an early impression, carding a 68 that placed her four under par and briefly joining the leaders before Rhodes settled into a three‑under group. Rhodes’ opening round was marked by an aggressive start: she birdied two of her first three holes, then incurred a bogey on the fourth.

She recovered with three more birdies to reach the turn in 32 strokes, and a solitary bogey on the 11th was the only blemish on her back nine. Hull’s front nine was flawless, a 35 that included a birdie on the third hole, but three bogeys after the turn threatened her momentum.

She managed to regain some ground with two birdies surrounding a dropped shot in the final three holes. The tournament also featured defending champion Mao Saigo, who entered the week after clinching a dramatic playoff victory in 2025. Fans and pundits alike are eager to see whether she can repeat her success or if a new champion will emerge.

Looking ahead, the Chevron Championship will continue to be broadcast live on Sky Sports throughout the week, with the second round slated to begin on Friday at 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event.

Viewers can also stream the event without a contract, ensuring broad access to the action. Beyond the competition itself, Sky Sports promotes its golf streaming service and encourages fans to explore the UK and Ireland’s extensive network of 1,700 courses. While the promotional sections about booking tee times and searching by location appear repeatedly in the original feed, the core story remains focused on the athletes’ performances and the evolving leaderboard.

In summary, the first day of the 2026 Chevron Championship has set the stage for an exciting major. Nelly Korda’s dominant, bogey‑free 65 places her firmly in the lead, while Mimi Rhodes has demonstrated that she can compete at the highest level, leveraging confidence gained from previous tournaments. Charley Hull, though steady, still searches for the breakthrough that will secure her first major victory.

As the tournament progresses, the field will continue to battle for the coveted Chevron title, with fans worldwide watching closely to see who will ultimately lift the trophy.