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 the early advantage in the first women’s major of the 2026 season.
Korda’s flawless round of 65 – seven under par and the best start to a major she has recorded in four years – placed her two strokes ahead of Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and South Korea’s Somi Lee, setting a high‑water mark for the field. The tournament opened with a flurry of impressive performances. American amateur Farah O’Keefe posted a solid 68, joining a four‑way tie for fourth place, while LPGA rookie Mimi Rhodes, making her debut at the Chevron, carded a respectable 69.
That score landed her in a ten‑player tie for eighth, underscoring the promise she showed in her first major appearance. Rhodes explained that her preparation and familiarity with the course gave her a psychological edge.
“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 the extra time allowed her to settle in, “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.” Her confidence stems partly from a strong showing at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, where she finished six under par and tied for 10th. “That tournament was different mentally because I had an invite and there was no cut, so I could play more freely,” Rhodes reflected.
She believes that freedom helped her develop a mental routine that she can now apply to majors. “I’ve 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, and if I’m not worried about the cut line.” Rhodes emphasized that her goal for the Chevron is to stay relaxed and enjoy the experience.
“This is the first major of the year, there are four more to go, so I just want to play relaxed golf out there and not put too much pressure on myself.” Her calm approach paid off as she opened with two birdies in her first three holes, stumbled with a bogey‑five on the fourth, but recovered with three more birdies to reach the turn in 32. A solitary bogey on the 11th was the only blemish on her back nine, leaving her tied at three under par.
In contrast, fellow Englishwoman Charley Hull, ranked world No. 4 and a former runner‑up in 2016, struggled to find the same rhythm. Hull opened with a level‑par 72, placing her five strokes behind the leader and tied for 26th after the first round. While her front nine was spotless – a 35 that included a birdie on the third hole – she faltered after the turn, recording three bogeys before clawing back with two birdies in the final three holes.
Hull’s performance highlighted the fine margins that separate contention from merely staying in the mix. Patty Tavatanakit, the Thai contender, posted a bogey‑free round featuring five birdies in the first 18 holes, while Somi Lee from Korea recorded six birdies before a late‑round drop. Chinese player Yan Liu also made a statement, posting a four‑under 68 to sit just behind the early leaders, before Rhodes settled into a group tied at three under. The early leaderboard painted a picture of a tightly contested tournament, with Korda’s two‑stroke cushion providing a modest buffer but not guaranteeing safety.
Her flawless seven‑under round demonstrated the kind of precision and composure required to dominate a major, yet the field remained deep, with multiple players within striking distance. Beyond the competition, the Chevron Championship is part of a broader schedule that includes the 2026 LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour calendars, offering fans numerous opportunities to follow elite women’s golf throughout the season.
Viewers can stream the action via NOW, catch the Sky Sports Golf Podcast for analysis, or follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for real‑time updates, video highlights, and expert commentary. The tournament also serves as a platform for promotional partnerships, with offers to book tee times at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, encouraging fans to experience the sport firsthand.
While the promotional sections of the broadcast may seem repetitive, they underscore the growing commercial interest in women’s golf and the desire to make the game more accessible. Looking ahead, the defending champion Mao Saigo returns to defend her title after a dramatic playoff victory in 2025. Her presence adds another layer of intrigue, as she seeks to repeat her success against a field that now includes hungry newcomers like Rhodes and seasoned veterans like Hull and Korda.
As the second round approaches, fans can anticipate whether Korda will extend her lead or if a surge from Rhodes, Hull, or any of the other contenders will reshape the leaderboard. The Chevron Championship promises to deliver high‑quality golf, strategic battles, and the ever‑present drama that defines major championships. For those interested in following the event live, the second round coverage begins on Friday at 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming options available without a contract.
The tournament’s narrative continues to unfold, offering a compelling blend of talent, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of a major title.