Korda takes Chevron lead as England's Rhodes impresses

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The Chevron Championship, first round

-7 N Korda (US); -5 S Lee (Kor), P Tavatanakit (Tha); -4 P Bouchard (Fra), Y Liu (Chn), Farah O'Keefe (US), Y Yoshida (Jpn)

Selected others: -3 M Rhodes (Eng); E C Hull (Eng), L Ko (NZ), L Thompson (US); +1 L Woad (Eng); +2 G Dryburgh (Sco), M Lee (Aus), J Thitikul (Tha); +3 J Ewart Shadoff (Eng)

Full leaderboard

American Nelly Korda leads the Chevron Championship - the first women's major of the year - by two strokes after posting a sublime seven-under-par 65 in the first round.

The two-time major winner, who claimed this title in 2024, looked back to her imperious best in a bogey-free round at Houston's Memorial Park Golf Course.

"The wind was picking up here and there," said Korda. "Through the trees it was definitely gusting so I had to lock in on a couple of yardages here and there.

"Overall, I just felt really good, though, out there."

England's Mimi Rhodes, who won three times during last season's Ladies European Tour, is fours shots off the top on her tournament debut.

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

"I felt ready," said Rhodes. "Getting here on Sunday, it was probably a benefit to me that I was able to see the course a bit more.

"I did as much prep as I could and felt comfortable coming into this round. It was more about coming in and being confident around there, which I thought I did."

South Korea's Somi Lee and Thailand's Patty Tavatanakit, who won this tournament in 2021 when it was in California, both carded 67s and are joint second on five under.

England's Charley Hull, who is fourth in the women's world rankings, is on level par following a round that included three birdies and three bogeys.

World number one Jeeno Thitikul opened with a 74 and at two over par is nine shots off the lead.

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