England’s rising star Mimi Rhodes has put herself firmly in the mix 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 seven‑under‑par 65, her best opening round at a major in four years, placed her two strokes ahead of Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and South Korea’s Somi Lee, establishing a clear lead on the Houston course. Amateur Farah O’Keefe, representing the United States, was part of a tightly packed four‑way tie for fourth after carding a solid 68. Meanwhile, LPGA rookie Mimi Rhodes, making her debut at this prestigious event, posted a respectable 69, which positioned her within a ten‑player group tied for eighth place after the first round. "I think I felt ready," Rhodes said when asked about her performance.
"Arriving on Sunday gave me a chance to walk the course a bit more, to get a feel for the layout and the conditions. That extra time definitely helped me settle in." She continued, "I was more comfortable finding my bearings.
I did all the preparation I could, and I felt confident heading into the round. It was really about committing to my shots and trusting my game, which I think I managed to do." Rhodes reflected on her recent showing at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, where she finished six‑under and tied for tenth. "That tournament was a different mental challenge because I had an invitation and there was no cut, so I could play more freely," she explained.
"I’ve taken those positive emotions and carried them forward. When I’m confident and fully committed to each shot, I tend to start strong, especially when I’m not worrying about the cut line." Looking ahead, Rhodes emphasized a relaxed approach for the remainder of the major.
"This is the first of four majors this year, so I’m trying to stay relaxed and not put too much pressure on myself. I want to enjoy the golf and keep my composure throughout the tournament." In contrast, fellow Englishwoman and world No.
4 Charley Hull opened with an even‑par 72, leaving 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 hunting her inaugural major title after missing the cut in Texas the previous year.
Patty Tavatanakit delivered a flawless front nine, posting five birdies without a bogey, while Somi Lee recorded six birdies before a late‑round stumble cost her a shot. China’s Yan Liu also made an early impression, carding a four‑under 68 to sit just behind the leading duo before Rhodes settled into a three‑under group. Rhodes’ round began explosively, with two birdies in her first three holes. A setback arrived on the fourth hole when she made a bogey‑five, but she quickly regained momentum, adding three more birdies to reach the turn in 32 strokes.
The only blemish on her back nine was a solitary bogey at the 11th; otherwise, she navigated the latter holes smoothly. Hull’s front nine was immaculate, a 35‑stroke stretch highlighted by a birdie on the third hole. However, three bogeys after the turn threatened her rhythm.
She managed to offset those errors with two birdies flanking a dropped shot on the final three holes, demonstrating resilience despite the early setbacks. The tournament also featured defending champion Mao Saigo, who entered the week after triumphing in a dramatic playoff at the 2025 Chevron Championship. Saigo will be looking to repeat her success as the field tightens. As the competition progresses, fans can follow the live action on Sky Sports.
The second round coverage begins on Friday at 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming options available without a contract. For those interested in playing the sport themselves, Sky Sports offers the ability to book tee times at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, with price comparisons and easy search tools. Overall, the opening round set the stage for an exciting major.
Korda’s dominant start puts her in a strong position, but Rhodes’ confident debut and Hull’s determination suggest that the leaderboard could shift dramatically over the coming days. Golf enthusiasts will be watching closely to see who can maintain composure, execute under pressure, and ultimately claim the coveted Chevron Championship title.