England’s rising star Mimi Rhodes positioned herself as a serious contender 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 delivered a flawless, bogey‑free round of 65, seven under par, marking her best opening score at a major in four years and propelling her to a two‑stroke lead over Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and South Korea’s Somi Lee. American amateur Farah O’Keefe also made a strong impression, joining a four‑way tie for fourth after carding an opening 68.

Meanwhile, LPGA rookie Mimi Rhodes posted a respectable 69 on her debut, which placed her in a ten‑player tie for eighth place. “I think I felt ready,” Rhodes said after her round.

“Getting here on Sunday was probably a benefit because I was able to walk the course a bit more and get a feel for it.” She added that the extra time on site helped her settle in and gain confidence. Rhodes continued, “I feel a bit more comfortable getting my bearings around. I did as much preparation as I could, and I felt comfortable coming into this round. It was really about committing to my shots and staying confident, which I think I managed to do.” She reflected on her recent performance at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, where she finished six under par and tied for 10th.

“That tournament 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 feelings and applied them here because I tend to play well in the first round when I’m confident and not worrying about the cut line.” Rhodes emphasized her approach to the Chevron as a chance to stay relaxed and enjoy the experience.

“This is the first major of the year and there are three more to go. I just want to play relaxed golf and not put too much pressure on myself,” she said. Across the leaderboard, fellow Englishwoman and world No.

4 Charley Hull opened with a level‑par 72, leaving her five strokes behind Korda and tied for 26th after the first round. Hull, who was runner‑up at the 2016 edition, is still hunting her first major title after missing the cut in Texas the previous year. Patty Tavatanakit posted a flawless front nine, birdieing five of her first 18 holes, while Somi Lee recorded six birdies before a late bogey on the final hole of the day. China’s Yan Liu also made an early impression, posting a four‑under 68 to sit just behind the leading duo.

Rhodes’ round began brightly with two birdies in her first three holes, but a bogey on the fourth hole briefly stalled 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, 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 steadied herself with two birdies surrounding a dropped shot on the final three holes. The tournament also featured defending champion Mao Saigo, who entered the week after clinching a dramatic playoff victory in 2025. Fans are eager to see whether she can repeat her success or if Korda’s early surge will prove decisive. The Chevron Championship will continue to unfold over the next week, with live coverage available on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 4 pm each day.

Viewers can also stream the event without a contract, ensuring easy access to the action. Beyond the competition, golf enthusiasts can explore booking options at more than 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland. By entering a course name, city, or postal code, players can find the best rates and secure a tee time, though the search function occasionally returns no results, prompting a new query. As the second round approaches, the narrative of the tournament remains compelling: Korda’s dominant start, Rhodes’ confident debut, and Hull’s quest for her maiden major all intertwine to create a captivating storyline.

The question on everyone’s mind is who will ultimately lift the Chevron trophy. The answer will emerge over the coming days as the field navigates the challenging Texas layout, battling both the elements and the pressure of major‑championship golf.