Ask Onix
Korda dominates opening round at Chevron Championship
American golfer Nelly Korda surged into a two-stroke lead at the first major of the LPGA Tour season after a flawless seven-under-par 65 in the opening round of the Chevron Championship in Houston.
Korda's near-perfect performance
The 2024 champion and two-time major winner navigated challenging winds at Memorial Park Golf Course without dropping a single shot. Korda described the conditions as gusty, particularly through the trees, but remained composed throughout her round.
"The wind was picking up here and there. 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."
Nelly Korda
Chasing pack sits four strokes back
South Korea's Somi Lee and Thailand's Patty Tavatanakit, the 2021 champion, share second place at five under par after both carded 67s. Tavatanakit previously won the event when it was held in California.
A group of six players, including China's Yu Liu and Japan's Yuka Yoshida, trail at four under par. England's Mimi Rhodes, making her tournament debut, impressed with a three-under 69, placing her among 10 players tied at three under.
"I felt ready. 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."
Mimi Rhodes
Top-ranked players struggle
England's Charley Hull, currently fourth in the women's world rankings, sits at even par after a round that included three birdies and three bogeys. Meanwhile, world number one Jeeno Thitikul opened with a 74, leaving her nine strokes behind Korda at two over par.
Leaderboard snapshot
- -7: Nelly Korda (USA)
- -5: Somi Lee (KOR), Patty Tavatanakit (THA)
- -4: Perrine Bouchard (FRA), Yu Liu (CHN), Farah O'Keefe (USA), Yuka Yoshida (JPN)
- -3: Mimi Rhodes (ENG), plus nine others
