England’s rising star Mimi Rhodes has placed herself firmly in the mix at this year’s 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 she’s had in a major in four years – put her two strokes ahead of Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and South Korea’s Somi Lee after the opening day in Houston. Among the notable performances, American amateur Farah O’Keefe was tied for fourth after posting an opening 68, while LPGA rookie Rhodes, playing her first major, recorded a 69 to land in a ten‑way tie for eighth place.
Rhodes explained that she felt especially prepared for the event, noting that arriving on Sunday gave her extra time to become familiar with the course layout and surroundings. "I think I felt ready," Rhodes said.
"Getting here on Sunday was probably a benefit to me that I was able to see the course a bit more and just be on site a bit more. 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 just about committing and being confident out there, which I think I did." Rhodes also reflected on the confidence she gained from her strong showing at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, where she finished six under par and tied for 10th place. She highlighted that the invitation to that event, which had no cut, allowed her to play with a freer mindset.
"It was quite different mentally because I had an invite and there wasn’t a cut, so I could play more freely," she explained. "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.
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." Across the leaderboard, fellow Englishwoman and world No. 4 Charley Hull opened with a level‑par 72, leaving her five strokes behind Korda and tied for 26th after round one.
Hull, who was runner‑up at the 2016 Chevron Championship, is still hunting her inaugural major title after missing the cut in Texas the previous year. Patty Tavatanakit posted a flawless front nine, carding five birdies without a bogey, while Somi Lee recorded six birdies before a stumble on the final hole of the day. China’s Yan Liu also made an early impact, carding a four‑under 68 to sit just ahead of a three‑under Rhodes.
Rhodes’s round began explosively with two birdies in her first three holes, though a bogey on the fourth hole briefly halted her momentum. She rebounded with three more birdies to reach the turn in 32 strokes, and a solitary bogey at the 11th was the only blemish on her back nine, allowing her to finish strongly. Hull’s front nine was immaculate, a 35‑stroke effort that included a birdie on the third hole. However, three bogeys after the turn threatened her position, though she recovered with two birdies flanking a dropped shot in the final three holes, demonstrating resilience despite the setbacks.
The tournament also features defending champion Mao Saigo, who captured the 2025 Chevron title after a dramatic playoff against four other contenders. As the field settles, the question on everyone’s mind is who will ultimately lift the Chevron trophy. Fans can follow the action live throughout the week on Sky Sports, with second‑round coverage beginning Friday at 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event.
For those without a contract, streaming options are available, ensuring that the excitement of the first women’s major of the season reaches a wide audience. Beyond the competition, Sky Sports continues to promote golf tourism across the UK and Ireland, offering the best rates for booking a round at any of the 1,700 courses in the region.
Golfers can search by course, city, or postal code to find the perfect venue for their next round. In summary, the opening day of the 2026 Chevron Championship has set the stage for a thrilling contest. Nelly Korda’s dominant start, Mimi Rhodes’s confident debut, and Charley Hull’s steady pursuit of a major win all contribute to a narrative rich with potential storylines. As the tournament progresses, viewers can expect further drama, strategic play, and the emergence of new champions in the world of women’s golf.