England’s rising star Mimi Rhodes has positioned herself among the leaders at the Chevron Championship, while Nelly Korda has seized the early advantage in the season’s first women’s major. The world No. 2, Korda, delivered a flawless round of 65—seven under par and her best opening score at a major in four years—propelling her to a two‑stroke lead over Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and South Korea’s Somi Lee. Amateur Farah O’Keefe, representing the United States, was part of a four‑way tie for fourth place after posting a solid 68 in the opening round.
Meanwhile, LPGA rookie Mimi Rhodes, making her debut at the tournament, carded a 69, which placed her within a ten‑player tie for eighth. Rhodes reflected on her performance, saying, “I felt ready. Arriving on Sunday gave me a chance to walk the course a bit more and get comfortable with the surroundings. I did all the preparation I could and entered the round with confidence, focusing on committing to each shot.” Rhodes also highlighted lessons learned from her impressive showing at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, where she finished tied for 10th at six under par.
“That event was different mentally because I had an invitation and there was no cut, so I could play more freely,” she explained. “I’ve taken those emotions and applied them here.
When I’m confident and committed to my shots, I tend to start strong, and I tried to keep that mindset today.” She added that, with this being the first major of the year and three more to follow, her goal was to play relaxed golf and avoid putting excessive pressure on herself. “I want to enjoy the experience and not overthink the cut line,” Rhodes said. “Just stay present, trust my swing, and let the results come.” Charley Hull, another English contender and world No. 4, opened with an even‑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, is still seeking her first major title after missing the cut in Texas the previous year. Patty Tavatanakit posted a flawless front nine, recording five birdies without a single bogey, while Somi 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 to sit four under par, before Rhodes settled into a group tied at three under. Rhodes got off to a strong start, birdieing two of her first three holes before a bogey on the fourth tempered her momentum.
She recovered with three additional birdies to reach the turn in 32 strokes, and the only blemish on her back nine was a single bogey at the 11th hole. Hull, by contrast, enjoyed a pristine front nine of 35, highlighted by a birdie on the third, but three bogeys after the turn threatened her position.
She managed to regain some ground with two birdies flanking a dropped shot in the final three holes. The tournament’s defending champion, Mao Saigo, entered the week with the confidence of a recent winner, having secured the 2025 title in a dramatic playoff against four other competitors. As the field settles into the early stages, the question remains: who will ultimately claim the Chevron Championship crown?
Fans can follow the action live throughout the week on Sky Sports, with the second round set to begin on Friday at 4 pm on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event. For those unable to watch via traditional broadcast, streaming options are available without a contract. Beyond the competition, golf enthusiasts are encouraged to explore the UK and Ireland’s extensive network of courses. With over 1,700 venues offering a range of price points, players can easily find a suitable tee time by entering a course name, city, or postal code on the booking platform.
Although some searches may return no results, the sheer variety of options ensures that golfers of all levels can discover new destinations and enjoy the sport year‑round. In summary, the opening round of the Chevron Championship has set the stage for an exciting major, featuring a dominant performance by Nelly Korda, a promising debut from Mimi Rhodes, and a determined challenge from Charley Hull.
As the tournament progresses, the field will continue to battle for the coveted title, with each round offering new storylines, shifting leaderboards, and the ever‑present possibility of a breakthrough moment for any of the world’s top female golfers.