Nelly Korda Leads Chevron With Bogey-Free 65

Nelly Korda fired a bogey-free 7-under 65 on Thursday to claim a two-shot lead after the opening round of The Chevron Championship, the first major championship of the LPGA season, at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston.

The world number two American, who won the event in 2024 at a different venue, birdied seven holes during her round, including the three par-5s on the front nine and standout approaches on the par-3s. Starting on the 10th hole amid soft conditions from recent rain, Korda saved par on her first two holes with key putts from six and seven feet, then pulled away with birdies at the 12th and 16th to make the turn in 2 under. She added three consecutive birdies starting at the first, highlighted by a 6-iron from a slightly elevated tee to four feet on the par-3 second, before closing with birdies at the seventh and eighth.

"It was the wind picking up here and there, through the trees it was definitely gusting, so I had to lock in on a couple of yardages," Korda said. "Overall, I just felt really good out there." The performance marked her lowest opening round in a major and her first bogey-free 18 holes in one since the second round of the 2024 Women's British Open....