Mixed start for Lydia Ko at first major of year

Lydia Ko is a favourite to break her major drought. Photo / AP

Lydia Ko has had a mixed start to her first major of the year.

The world No 1 was in a share of 23rd at one-under after her opening round at the Chevron Championship in Texas and was four shots off the leader, Taiwan’s Peiyun Chien.

Ko, who is searching for her first major title since 2016, had an undulating round including four birdies and three bogeys, and was content with her start after having struggled in practice rounds.

“There were a lot of positives. I wasn’t the most confident going into today, so to start off like this, I think there’s a lot of good things to take.

“I drove the ball really well. From the fairway onwards it wasn’t my sharpest, but to start off at under par is a good way to start this week. It’s not easy.

“Hopefully I’m going to take all the good for the next few days and take the not-so-good stuff and polish it up a little bit.”

Chien leads the way after carding six birdies — including four in a five-hole span on holes 4-8 — to lead by one shot at five-under. Chien finished fourth in her last tournament after not making the cut in the previous two and the world No 189 continued that good form to be a surprise leader.

Less surprising was that second-ranked Nelly Korda was among six players and three Americans tied for second at 68. Korda is healthy after missing four months and a lot of momentum last year with a blood clot in her arm that required surgery.

Americans Marina Alex and Lilia Vu also shot 68. Alex thought the change in venue – this is the first time the tournament, formerly known as the ANA Inspiration, is in Texas - created an interesting dynamic.

“No one really has all that much of an advantage or years and years of experience playing a course and being familiar with it,” she said. “So, I think it really puts everyone on the same ground, and I enjoy that.”

The weather was clear for most of the morning, but light to heavy rain fell through a big chunk of the afternoon.

Australian Stephanie Kyriacou also sits in a tie for second after sinking an eagle on the 18th hole. She was among the group who played in the afternoon and said the rain made the greens softer.

“It only kind of rained for about four or five holes for us, and then it got called off,” she said. “And then it didn’t rain for the rest, so I guess we were kind of lucky with what the weather was predicting. We kind of got away with it a little bit.”

Eila Galitsky, a 16-year-old amateur, was tied for ninth after a 70. Georgia Hall, the winner of the 2018 British Open who has finished second in two of her last three tournaments, also opened with a 70.

American Lexi Thompson had a 74 in a disappointing round. Her performance came a day after she said she was struggling with a sore right wrist after hitting too much at home in preparation for the tournament. Defending champion Jennifer Kupcho was tied for 37th after a 72.

- With AP