England’s rising star Mimi Rhodes has positioned herself as a serious contender at the Chevron Championship, while Nelly Korda has seized the early advantage in the season’s first women’s major. Korda, currently ranked second in the world, posted an immaculate, bogey‑free round of 65, seven strokes under par, marking her best opening performance at a major in four years.

Her flawless round placed her two shots ahead of Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and South Korea’s Somi Lee, who both posted impressive scores to sit in second place. American amateur Farah O’Keefe also made a strong showing, sharing a four‑way tie for fourth after carding a 68. Meanwhile, LPGA rookie Mimi Rhodes, playing her first major, recorded a 69, which placed her in a ten‑player tie for eighth place.

Rhodes expressed confidence in her preparation, noting that arriving on Sunday gave her extra time to familiarize herself with the course. “I think I felt ready,” she said. “Being on site a bit longer helped me get a feel for the layout and settle my nerves.” She added that the extra preparation allowed her to approach the round with a clear mindset, focusing on commitment and confidence. “I was comfortable with my bearings, did as much prep as I could, and just went out there to commit to each shot,” Rhodes explained.

“It was all about staying confident and executing.” Rhodes reflected on the lessons she learned from her recent performance at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, where she finished tied for 10th with a six‑under‑par total. “That event was different mentally because I had an invitation and there was no cut, so I could play more freely,” she said. “I’ve taken those feelings and applied them here.

When I’m confident and not worrying about the cut line, I tend to play my best golf.” She emphasized that the Chevron Championship is the first of four majors this year, and her goal is to maintain a relaxed approach without adding unnecessary pressure. “I want to play relaxed golf, enjoy the experience, and not put too much pressure on myself,” Rhodes said. In contrast, fellow Englishwoman and world No.

4 Charley Hull struggled to find her rhythm, opening with a level‑par 72 that left her five strokes behind the leader and tied for 26th. Hull, who was the runner‑up at the 2016 Chevron Championship, is still searching for her first major title after missing the cut in Texas the previous year. Patty Tavatanakit posted a bogey‑free round, capitalizing on five birdies in her first 18 holes, while Somi Lee recorded six birdies before a late‑round bogey cost her a shot. China’s Yan Liu also featured early, carding a four‑under‑par 68 to sit just behind the leaders, while Rhodes settled into a three‑under‑par group.

Rhodes’s round began aggressively, with two birdies in her first three holes before a bogey on the fourth hole halted her momentum. She recovered with three more birdies to reach the turn in 32 strokes, and the only blemish on her back nine was a single bogey at the 11th. Hull’s front nine was flawless, carding a 35 that included a birdie on the third hole, but three bogeys after the turn dropped her score. She managed to claw back two birdies around a dropped shot in the final three holes, improving her standing but still trailing the leaders.

The defending champion, Japan’s Mao Saigo, entered the tournament with the aim of retaining her title after a dramatic playoff victory in 2025. As the field settles after the first round, the question remains who will ultimately claim the Chevron Championship. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, with second‑round coverage slated to begin on Friday at 4 p.m.

on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event. The tournament 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 location, city, or postal code, players can find the best prices and secure tee times at a variety of venues, ensuring that the love of the game continues beyond the major championships.