England’s rising star Mimi Rhodes positioned herself as a genuine 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’s flawless round of 65, seven under par and free of any bogeys, marked her strongest start to a major in four years and placed her two strokes ahead of Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and South Korea’s Somi Lee.
American amateur Farah O’Keefe also made a notable impression, sharing a four‑way tie for fourth place after posting a solid 68 in the opening round. Meanwhile, LPGA rookie Mimi Rhodes recorded a 69 on her debut, which was enough to slot her into a ten‑way tie for eighth overall. Reflecting on her performance, Rhodes said, “I felt ready.
Arriving on Sunday gave me the chance to walk the course a bit more and become familiar with the surroundings.” She added that the extra preparation time helped her feel “more comfortable getting my bearings” and allowed her to focus on committing to each shot with confidence. “I did as much preparation as I could, and I felt comfortable coming into this round. It was really about committing and being confident out there, which I think I managed,” she explained.
Rhodes also referenced the lessons she learned at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, where she finished six under par and tied for 10th place. “That tournament 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 emotions and applied them here.
I tend to play well in the first round when I’m confident, when I’m committed to my shots, and when I’m not worrying about the cut line.” She continued, “That’s the mindset I brought to this major. It’s the first of four majors this year, so I’m trying to play relaxed golf and not put too much pressure on myself.” In contrast, fellow Englishwoman and world No.
4 Charley Hull got off to a more modest start, carding an even‑par 72 that left 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 first major title after missing the cut in Texas the previous year. Patty Tavatanakit posted a bogey‑free round with five birdies in her opening 18 holes, while Somi Lee recorded six birdies before dropping a shot on her final hole of the day.
China’s Yan Liu also featured early, moving to four under after a 68, 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 before a bogey on the fourth halted her momentum. She rebounded 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 hole.
Hull, on the other hand, enjoyed a flawless front nine of 35, highlighted by a birdie on the third, but three bogeys after the turn threatened her position. She recovered somewhat with two birdies surrounding a dropped shot on the final three holes.
The tournament’s defending champion, Japan’s Mao Saigo, entered the week with the aim of retaining her title after a dramatic playoff victory in 2025. As the field settled after day one, the narrative began to focus on whether Korda could extend her early lead, whether Rhodes might climb higher with her confident play, or if Hull could find the extra gear needed to challenge the leaders. Sky Sports will continue to broadcast live coverage of the Chevron Championship throughout the week, with the second round slated to begin on Friday at 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event.
Fans can also stream the event without a contract via the network’s online platform. Beyond the competition itself, the coverage includes a range of related content, from the 2026 LPGA Tour schedule to the Ladies European Tour calendar, as well as promotional segments for golf streaming services and the Sky Sports Golf Podcast. Viewers are also reminded of the opportunity to book tee times at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, with a simple search by course name, city, or postcode.
As the first major of the season unfolds, all eyes remain on Korda’s commanding lead, Rhodes’s promising debut, and Hull’s quest for a breakthrough performance. The Chevron Championship promises to deliver compelling golf drama over the coming days, with the potential for new storylines to emerge as the field navigates the challenging Houston layout.