Chevron Championship: Nelly Korda takes lead as England’s Mimi Rhodes impresses

American Nelly Korda became the leader by two strokes with a magnificent score of 7-under-par 65 in the first round of the Chevron Championship, the first women’s major of the year.

The two-time major winner, who captured the title in 2024, was at his best in a bogey-free round at Houston Memorial Park Golf Course.

“The wind was picking up here and there,” Korda said. “There was an absolutely strong wind blowing through the trees so I had to lock down a few meters here and there.

“Overall I felt really good there.”

Britain’s Mimi Rhodes, a three-time winner on last season’s Women’s European Tour, fell four shots off the top in her first match of the tournament.

The 24-year-old had five birdies and two bogeys for an impressive 69 and is one of 10 players with three under par.

South Korea’s Somi Lee and Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit, who won this tournament in California in 2021, both carded 67 to finish second at five under.

Britain’s Charley Hull, fourth in the women’s world rankings, is on equal footing after a round that included three birdies and three bogeys.

World number one Jeeno Thitikul opened with a 74, two over par and nine shots behind par.