England’s rising star Mimi Rhodes signalled her intent to compete for the title at the 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 free of any bogeys, marked her best opening score in a major since 2019 and placed her two strokes ahead of Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and South Korea’s Somi Lee. Amateur Farah O’Keefe, playing on a local invitation, joined a four‑way tie for fourth place after carding a solid 68.
Meanwhile, LPGA rookie Mimi Rhodes, making her debut at the Chevron, posted a 69 to land in a ten‑player tie for eighth, instantly putting herself in the conversation for the title. Rhodes reflected on her preparation, saying, “I think I felt ready. Getting to the venue on Sunday gave me the chance to walk the course a bit more and become familiar with the layout.” She added that the extra time on site helped her settle in, allowing her to focus on committing to each shot with confidence. “I felt more comfortable finding my bearings.
I did as much preparation as I could, and that gave me the confidence to execute my game plan,” she explained. She also pointed to lessons learned from her strong showing at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, where she finished six under par 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,” Rhodes said.
“I’ve taken those positive emotions forward. When I’m confident and fully committed to my shots, I tend to start tournaments strongly.” Rhodes emphasized that she wants to keep things relaxed throughout the major. “This is the first major of the year, with three more to go.
I’m trying to play relaxed golf and not put too much pressure on myself,” she said. “If I stay confident and stick to my routine, I’ll give myself the best chance of staying near the top of the leaderboard.” In contrast, fellow Englishwoman and world No. 4 Charley Hull opened with a level‑par 72, leaving her five strokes behind the leader and tied for 26th after round one. Hull, who was runner‑up at the 2016 Chevron, is still chasing her first major victory after missing the cut in Texas the previous year.
The early rounds also highlighted strong performances from other competitors. Tavatanakit played a bogey‑free round, posting five birdies in her first 18 holes, while Lee recorded six birdies before a late bogey on the final hole. China’s Yan Liu posted a four‑under 68, briefly joining the early leaders before Rhodes settled into a three‑under group.
Rhodes’ round began with two birdies in her first three holes, but a bogey on the fourth hole slowed her momentum. She rebounded with three more birdies to reach the turn in 32 strokes, and only a single bogey on the 11th marred an otherwise steady back‑nine, leaving her at three under par. 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 managed to recover with two birdies in the closing three holes, finishing the day at even par.
Defending champion Mao Saigo entered the tournament with confidence after clinching the 2025 title in a dramatic playoff. She will look to repeat her success as the field tightens over the coming days. The Chevron Championship will continue to unfold over the next week, with live coverage on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event.
The second round begins on Friday at 4 pm, and viewers can also stream the tournament without a contract through various online platforms. Beyond the competition, golf enthusiasts can take advantage of special offers to book tee times at more than 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland.
By entering a course name, city, or postal code on the booking site, players can find the best prices and secure a round at a nearby venue. As the tournament progresses, the battle for the Chevron title promises to intensify.
With Korda’s commanding start, Rhodes’ promising debut, and Hull’s quest for a breakthrough, fans can expect a thrilling showcase of skill, determination, and the ever‑present pursuit of a first major championship.