Nelly Korda fired a flawless seven-under-par 65 to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Chevron Championship in Houston. The two-time major winner, who claimed this title in 2024, produced a bogey-free performance at 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."

England's Mimi Rhodes made an impressive tournament debut, carding a 69 with five birdies and two bogeys to sit four shots off the lead on three under. The 24-year-old won three times during last season's Ladies European Tour and is one of 10 players at three under par. South Korea's Somi Lee and Thailand's Patty Tavatanakit both posted 67s and are joint second on five under.

World number four Charley Hull is on level par following a mixed round of three birdies and three bogeys. World number one Jeeno Thitikul opened with a 74 and at two over par trails the leader by nine shots.