The Chevron Championship has kicked off with excitement as the first round concluded on April 25, 2025, at Carlton Woods in Texas. Defending champion Nelly Korda faced a tough start, finishing the day at five over par with a score of 77. Meanwhile, two Asian stars, Liu Yan from China and South Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran, emerged as the leaders of the tournament, each firing an impressive seven-under 65. This year’s event marks the first major of the women’s golf season, and the stakes have never been higher.
As the sun set on the opening day, Korda found herself trailing significantly, sitting 12 shots behind the leaders. The two-time major winner made bogeys on four consecutive holes early in her round, leaving her frustrated and unable to find her rhythm. “It was a rough day out there,” Korda admitted, reflecting on her performance. “I just couldn’t get anything going.”
In stark contrast, Liu and Ryu showcased their skills with bogey-free rounds, demonstrating both precision and confidence. Liu expressed her satisfaction, stating, “My driver was pretty good, pretty solid. Very solid golf today. On the course I’m pretty confident.” Ryu, who recently changed her putter, noted the positive impact it had on her game: “That was amazing. I make a lot of tricky ones and it’s really good for me.”
Behind the leaders, South Korea’s Kim Hyo-joo finished the round in third place with a score of 67, while a pack of players, including Choi Hye-jin, Brooke Matthews, Carlota Ciganda, Manon de Roey, and Ariya Jutanugarn, each posted scores of 68. England’s Georgia Hall also had a strong showing, finishing at three-under 69, just four shots off the lead. Hall started her round with a series of birdies but faced setbacks with a few bogeys.
The day wasn’t without its challenges, as play was interrupted by a late storm, preventing 24 players from finishing their rounds. Among those still on the course were American Lucy Li, who had an impressive start, reaching four under par with four holes remaining. Chun In-gee was also in contention at three under with two holes left to play.
As the tournament progressed into the second round on April 26, Liu Yan continued to impress, making headlines with a stunning albatross at the par-five eighth hole. Liu holed out her second shot from 170 yards with a seven-iron, marking the first albatross in a women’s major since 2015. This spectacular shot, combined with a closing birdie at the 18th hole, propelled her to a one-stroke lead at seven-under 137 after 36 holes.
Minjee Lee from Australia is well-placed to make a weekend charge, sitting three shots behind Yan at four under. Lee, who has two major titles to her name, fired a -3 second round 69 after completing the last hole of her first round on Friday. “I just want to play with freedom,” Lee stated, emphasizing her focus on taking advantage of scoring opportunities. “If it stays this soft, I think I could be pretty aggressive on the holes where I can hit shorter clubs.”
However, it was a day to forget for Australia’s top-ranked player, Hannah Green, who struggled with a +5 second round and tumbled down the leaderboard. Fellow Australian Hira Naveed also missed the cut, adding to the disappointment for the home fans.
As darkness fell on Friday, a 90-minute morning fog delay had already caused interruptions, leaving nine players yet to finish their rounds. Among those still on the course was China’s Zhang Weiwei, who was on five-under with three holes remaining.
The competition at the Chevron Championship is heating up, and with the cut approaching, the pressure is mounting for all players involved. Liu, who began playing golf with her mother 15 years ago, is seeking her first LPGA victory, while Ryu aims for her first major title after her previous successes on the tour. Both players are determined to maintain their strong performances as they head into the weekend.
As the tournament unfolds, fans are eagerly watching to see if Liu can hold on to her lead and secure her place in history, or if Lee and others will rise to the occasion and challenge for the title. With the Chevron Championship being the first major of the season, the excitement is palpable, and the stakes are higher than ever.
In summary, the Chevron Championship has set the stage for an exhilarating weekend of golf, with the world’s best female golfers vying for the coveted title. As players like Liu Yan and Ryu Hae-ran lead the pack, the competition promises to deliver thrilling moments and unforgettable performances.
