England’s promising newcomer Mimi Rhodes has thrown her hat into the ring at the Chevron Championship, while veteran Charley Hull finds herself trailing as Nelly Korda asserts dominance in the opening women’s major of the 2026 season. World No. 2 Nelly Korda delivered a flawless, bogey‑free round of 65, seven under par, marking her best start to a major in four years.
Her stellar performance in Houston placed her two strokes ahead of Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and South Korea’s Somi Lee, establishing a clear early lead. American amateur Farah O’Keefe also made a strong impression, carding a 68 to share a four‑way tie for fourth place. Meanwhile, LPGA rookie Mimi Rhodes, making her debut at this tournament, posted a respectable 69, which positioned her within a ten‑player tie for eighth after the first round. “I felt ready,” Rhodes said after her round.
“Arriving on Sunday gave me the chance to walk the course a bit more and get a feel for the surroundings. Being on site helped me settle in and understand the nuances of the layout.” She added that the extra preparation time allowed her to become more comfortable with her bearings, saying, “I did as much prep as I could and felt confident heading into the round. It was really about committing to each shot and trusting my game, which I think I managed to do.” Rhodes reflected on her recent showing at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, where she finished six under par and tied for 10th. “That event was mentally different because I had an invitation and there was no cut, so I could play more freely,” she explained.
“I’ve taken those positive emotions forward. I tend to play well in the first round when I’m confident, when I commit to my shots, and when I’m not worried about the cut line.” She emphasized a relaxed approach for the remainder of the major: “This is the first major of the year, and there are three more to go.
I’m trying to play relaxed golf and not put too much pressure on myself.” Charley Hull, the world No. 4 and Rhodes’ compatriot, opened with a level‑par 72, leaving her five strokes behind the leader and tied for 26th after round one.
Hull’s round was steady but lacked the firepower needed to challenge Korda’s early lead. Patty Tavatanakit posted a flawless front nine, birdieing five of the first 18 holes, while Somi Lee recorded six birdies before a stumble on the final hole of the day. China’s Yan Liu, after a four‑under 68, briefly joined the early leaders before Rhodes settled into a group tied at three under. Rhodes started strongly, making two birdies in her first three holes, though a bogey on the fourth hole slowed her momentum.
She rebounded with three more birdies to reach the turn in 32 strokes, and a single bogey at the 11th was the only blemish on her back nine, allowing her to finish at three under. Hull’s front nine was flawless, carding a 35 that included a birdie on the third hole. However, three bogeys after the turn hampered her progress, though she managed two birdies in the closing three holes to improve her standing.
Hull, who was runner‑up at the Chevron Championship in 2016, continues to chase her first major title. She returned to the event after missing the cut in Texas the previous year, determined to improve her performance. Defending champion Mao Saigo entered the week with confidence, having secured the 2025 title in a dramatic playoff against four other contenders.
The Chevron Championship promises an exciting showdown as the field navigates the challenging Houston course. Fans can follow live coverage of the second round on Friday from 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming options available without a contract. For golf enthusiasts looking to play the sport themselves, there are opportunities to book tee times at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland.
Simply enter a course name, city, or postal code to find the best prices and availability. Overall, the tournament has set the stage for a compelling battle among the world’s top women golfers. With Korda’s commanding lead, Rhodes’ promising debut, and Hull’s quest for redemption, the Chevron Championship is shaping up to be a memorable start to the 2026 women’s major season.