England’s rising star Mimi Rhodes found herself firmly in the hunt at the Chevron Championship after a solid opening round, even as world No. 2 Nelly Korda seized control of the first women’s major of the 2026 season.
Korda’s flawless seven‑under‑par 65, her best start to a major in four years, placed her two strokes ahead of Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and South Korea’s Somi Lee, establishing a clear early lead on the Houston course. Amateur Farah O’Keefe, representing the United States, joined a four‑way tie for fourth place after carding a respectable 68.
Meanwhile, LPGA rookie Mimi Rhodes, making her debut at this tournament, posted a 69, which positioned her within a ten‑player tie for eighth. Rhodes reflected on her performance, saying, “I think I felt ready.
Getting here on Sunday was probably a benefit to me because I could see the course a bit more and just be on site a bit more.” She added that familiarity with the layout helped her settle in, allowing her to focus on committing to each shot with confidence. Rhodes also referenced lessons learned from her impressive showing at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, where she finished six‑under and tied for 10th. “It was quite different mentally because I had an invite and there was no cut, so I could play more freely,” she explained.
Those freer‑thinking habits, she said, have been carried over to the Chevron, where she aims to keep the pressure low and play relaxed golf throughout the four‑major season. The LPGA Tour’s 2026 schedule continues to build excitement, as does the Ladies European Tour’s calendar, both promising further opportunities for players like Rhodes to showcase their talents. Fans can also stream the action via NOW and tune into the Sky Sports Golf Podcast for deeper analysis.
Charley Hull, another English contender and currently world No. 4, opened with a level‑par 72, which left her five strokes behind the leader and tied for 26th after round one. Hull, who was runner‑up in 2016, is still seeking her first major title after missing the cut in Texas the previous year.
She posted a flawless front nine of 35, highlighted by a birdie on the third hole, but three bogeys on the back nine slowed her momentum, although she recovered with two birdies near the end of her round. Tavatanakit’s round was bogey‑free, featuring five birdies across the first 18 holes, while Lee managed six birdies before a late bogey on the final hole. China’s Yan Liu also made an early impression, posting a four‑under 68 to sit just behind the leading duo before Rhodes settled into a three‑under group.
Rhodes’s opening stretch was aggressive; she birdied two of her first three holes before a bogey on the fourth temporarily halted her surge. She then added 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 and firmly in contention.
The tournament’s defending champion, Japan’s Mao Saigo, entered the week with confidence after securing a dramatic playoff victory in 2025. As the field settles into the rhythm of the competition, questions loom about who will ultimately lift the Chevron Championship trophy. Sky Sports will broadcast live coverage throughout the week, with the second round kicking off on Friday at 4 p.m.
on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event, and a streaming option available without a contract. Beyond the professional arena, golf enthusiasts across the UK and Ireland can take advantage of special offers to book tee times at over 1,700 courses.
By entering a course name, city, or postal code, players can find the best rates and secure a round at a nearby venue, though the search tool occasionally returns no results and prompts users to try a different query. In summary, the opening day of the Chevron Championship set the stage for an exciting major season. Nelly Korda’s dominant start placed her firmly on top, while Mimi Rhodes demonstrated that she belongs among the leaders, drawing on recent experience and a calm mindset to navigate the challenges of a major tournament.
Charley Hull remains within striking distance, hoping to convert her past runner‑up finish into a victory. As the competition progresses, fans can expect more dramatic swings, strategic play, and the emergence of new storylines that will define the 2026 women’s major circuit.