England’s rising star Mimi Rhodes positioned herself among the leaders at the Chevron Championship, while fellow Englishwoman Charley Hull found herself several strokes back as Nelly Korda seized the early advantage in 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 opening score at a major in four years. Her performance vaulted her to a two‑stroke lead over Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and South Korea’s Somi Lee, both of whom posted solid rounds to sit just behind the leader. Amateur Farah O’Keefe from the United States also made a strong showing, carding a 68 that placed her in a four‑way tie for fourth place.

Meanwhile, LPGA rookie Mimi Rhodes, making her debut at the Chevron, posted a respectable 69, which left her in a ten‑player tie for eighth after the first round. Rhodes explained that familiarity with the course gave her a mental edge.

“I think I felt ready,” she said. “Getting here on Sunday was probably a benefit because I was able to see the layout a bit more and spend more time on site.” She added that the extra preparation helped her feel comfortable finding her bearings, allowing her to commit to each shot with confidence. The Englishwoman also reflected on the lessons she learned from a recent strong performance at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, where she finished six under par and tied for 10th place.

“That event was different mentally,” Rhodes noted. “I had an invitation and there was no cut, so I could play more freely.

I’ve taken those feelings and applied them here.” Rhodes emphasized that a relaxed mindset is crucial in a major. “I tend to play well in the first round when I’m confident, when I’m committing to my shots, and when I’m not worrying about the cut line,” she said. “That’s the approach I’m taking at the Chevron – play relaxed golf, enjoy the experience, and not put too much pressure on myself.

There are still four more majors this year, so I want to keep the momentum going.” Charley Hull, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, began her quest for a maiden major title with a level‑par 72.

After completing her round, Hull found herself five strokes behind the leader and tied for 26th place. Hull’s opening round was steady, featuring a flawless front nine of 35 that included a birdie on the third hole. However, three bogeys on the back nine prevented her from climbing higher on the leaderboard, though she recovered with two birdies toward the end of her round. Tavatanakit posted a bogey‑free round with five birdies in her first 18 holes, while Lee recorded six birdies before a late bogey on the final hole of the day.

China’s Yan Liu also made an impression, carding a 68 that placed her four under par and briefly joining the early leaders before Rhodes settled into a group tied at three under. Rhodes’ round began explosively, as she made birdies on two of her first three holes. A bogey on the fourth hole slowed her momentum, but she rebounded with three more birdies to reach the turn in 32 strokes. The only blemish on her back nine was a solitary bogey at the 11th, leaving her with a solid 69.

Hull’s front nine was immaculate, but three bogeys after the turn threatened her position. She managed to salvage the round with birdies on the 15th and 17th holes, finishing with a respectable even‑par 72.

Hull, who was runner‑up at the Chevron in 2016, is still chasing her first major victory. She returned to the tournament after missing the cut at the same event in Texas the previous year, determined to improve on that result.

Defending champion Mao Saigo entered the week with confidence after securing the 2025 title in a dramatic playoff against four other competitors. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see whether she can repeat her success or if Korda’s early surge will prove decisive. The Chevron Championship will continue to unfold over the next week, with live coverage on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event beginning at 4 pm on Friday for the second round.

Viewers can also stream the event without a contract, ensuring broad access to the action. For golf enthusiasts looking to experience the sport firsthand, bookings are available at more than 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland. Simply enter a course name, city, or postcode to find the best rates and secure a tee time. As the tournament progresses, the question on everyone’s mind remains: who will claim the Chevron Championship crown?

With Korda leading, Rhodes showing promise, and Hull striving to close the gap, the competition promises excitement, drama, and high‑level golf throughout the remainder of the event.