Mimi Rhodes of England signalled her arrival as a serious contender at the Chevron Championship, even as world No. 2 Nelly Korda seized the early advantage in the season's first women’s major.
Korda posted a flawless seven‑under‑par 65, the best opening round she has recorded at a major in four years, and established a two‑stroke lead over Thailand's Patty Tavatanakit and South Korea's Somi Lee. The tournament also featured a strong showing from American amateur Farah O'Keefe, who shared a four‑way tie for fourth place after carding a 68 in the opening round. Meanwhile, LPGA rookie Rhodes, making her debut at the event, posted a respectable 69, placing her in a ten‑player tie for eighth.
"I think I felt ready," Rhodes explained after her round. "Getting here on Sunday helped; I was able to walk the course a bit more and get a feel for it. I was more comfortable finding my bearings. I did as much preparation as possible and felt confident heading into the round.
It was really about committing to my shots and believing in myself, which I think I did." Rhodes reflected on the confidence she gained from her performance at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, where she finished six‑under and tied for 10th. "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 that freedom and confidence into this major. When I’m sure of myself and commit to each shot, I tend to start well, especially when I’m not worrying about the cut line." She added, "This is the first major of the year, with three more to go, so my aim is to play relaxed golf and not put too much pressure on myself." Charley Hull, Rhodes' compatriot and world No. 4, opened her campaign with a level‑par 72, leaving her five strokes behind the leader and tied for 26th after the first round. Hull, who was runner‑up at the 2016 Chevron Championship, is still chasing her maiden major title after missing the cut in Texas the previous year.
Patty Tavatanakit produced a bogey‑free round with five birdies in her first 18 holes, while Somi Lee recorded six birdies before dropping a shot on the final hole of the day. China’s Yan Liu also posted a solid four‑under 68, briefly joining the early leaders before Rhodes settled into a group tied at three‑under.
Rhodes got off to a quick start, making birdies on two of her first three holes. A bogey on the fourth hole slowed her momentum, but she recovered with three more birdies to reach the turn in 32 strokes.
The only blemish on her back nine was a solitary bogey at the 11th, leaving her round at 69. Hull’s front nine was flawless, carding a 35 that included a birdie on the third hole. However, three bogeys after the turn threatened her position, though she rallied with two birdies flanking a dropped shot in the final three holes, ending with a respectable even‑par round.
Defending champion Mao Saigo entered the week looking to retain her title after triumphing in a playoff in 2025. The field also featured a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, each hoping to make an impact in what promises to be a tightly contested tournament. The Chevron Championship will continue to be broadcast live throughout the week on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event, with the second round kicking off on Friday at 4 pm. Viewers can also stream the action without a contract through the network’s online platforms.
Beyond the tournament, golf enthusiasts can explore booking options at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, with price comparisons and availability searches available on the Sky Sports website. While the promotional content appears repeatedly in the original report, the core story remains focused on Rhodes' promising debut, Hull's ongoing quest for a major, and Korda's commanding lead as the competition unfolds. As the event progresses, the narrative will likely shift depending on how the leaders manage the pressure of a major championship.
Will Korda extend her lead, or will Rhodes and Hull mount a comeback? Golf fans will be watching closely as the Chevron Championship continues to deliver high‑stakes drama and showcase the depth of talent on the women's tour.