England’s rising star Mimi Rhodes signalled her intention to contend at the Chevron Championship on Thursday, even as world No. 2 Nelly Korda seized the early advantage in the season’s first women’s major.
Korda delivered a flawless seven‑under‑par 65, the best start she has recorded in a major in four years, and opened a two‑stroke lead over Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and South Korea’s Somi Lee. The tournament also featured a notable performance from American amateur Farah O’Keefe, who carded a 68 to join a four‑way tie for fourth place.
Meanwhile, LPGA rookie Rhodes, making her debut at the Chevron, posted a solid 69 and found herself in a ten‑player tie for eighth after the opening round. “I think I felt ready,” Rhodes explained after her round. “Arriving on Sunday gave me the chance to walk the course a bit more and get a feel for the layout.
That extra time on site helped me settle in.” She added that the additional preparation allowed her to “get my bearings” and approach the day with confidence. “I did as much prep as I could, and I felt comfortable stepping onto the first tee.
It was really about committing to each shot and trusting my game, which I think I managed to do.” Rhodes reflected on the momentum she carried from her recent showing 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 those feelings and applied them here. When I’m confident and committed, I tend to produce a good first round, and I tried to keep the pressure off myself.” She emphasized a relaxed mindset for the remaining three majors of the year: “I’m just going to play relaxed golf, not overthink the cut line, and enjoy the experience.” Across the fairways, world No.
4 Charley Hull, Rhodes’ compatriot, opened with an even‑par 72, which left her five strokes behind the leader and tied for 26th. Hull, who was runner‑up at the 2016 Chevron, is still hunting her first major title after missing the cut in Texas the previous year.
Tavatanakit posted a bogey‑free round with five birdies in the first 18 holes, while Lee recorded six birdies before a late bogey on the final hole. China’s Yan Liu also made a strong start, carding a 68 to sit four under par, briefly joining the early leaders before Rhodes settled into a three‑under group. Rhodes’ round began brightly with two birdies in her first three holes, but a bogey on the fourth hole briefly 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 solitary bogey at the 11th.
Hull, on the other hand, enjoyed a flawless front nine of 35, highlighted by a birdie on the third hole, but three bogeys after the turn dropped her momentum, though she finished strongly with two birdies flanking a dropped shot in the closing three holes. The defending champion, Japan’s Mao Saigo, entered the week with the confidence of a recent major winner, having secured the 2025 Chevron title after a dramatic playoff.
All eyes will be on whether she can repeat that success or if Korda’s early surge will prove decisive. The Chevron Championship will continue to unfold over the next week, with live coverage on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event beginning at 4 p.m.
on Friday for the second round. Viewers can also stream the event without a contract via the network’s online platform.
Beyond the tournament, golf enthusiasts can take advantage of special offers to book a round at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland. By entering a course name, city, or postcode on the booking site, players can compare rates and secure tee times, though the search tool occasionally returns a “no results found” message when a location cannot be matched.
As the competition progresses, the narrative will focus on whether Rhodes can maintain her steady climb up the leaderboard, if Hull can rediscover the form that once saw her contend for a major, and whether Korda can convert her early lead into a victory. The Chevron Championship promises high‑quality golf, dramatic swings, and the chance for emerging talents to announce themselves on the world stage.