Australia’s Hannah Green endured a tough opening round as world No.2 Nelly Korda led the way with a seven-under par 65 at The Chevron Championship in Houston, Texas.

After storming home from six shots back to win in a playoff in Los Angeles four days ago, Green was widely tipped as one of the favourites for the first women’s major of the year.

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The 29-year-old will again need to pull off a remarkable chase down to win for the fifth time this year, however, after shooting a one-over par 73.

Green started promisingly with three birdies in her first six holes, but bogeys at the second and ninth ensured she reached the turn in 35.

The world No.5 was quite consistent on the back nine, making eight pars, but a double bogey at the par 4 12th proved costly.

Hannah Green of Australia watches her putt on the third green during the first round of The Chevron Championship.Source: AFP

Cassie Porter was the best of the eight-strong Australian contingent, making four birdies in a two-under par 70.

The 23-year-old in her second year on the LPGA has taken the strong form she harnessed on home soil with her to the United States.

Porter shot a course record 62 at Kooyonga in the final round of the Women’s Australian Open last month to finish runner-up to Green.

Karis Davidson is a shot back from Porter after opening with a 71, but no other Australian broke par.

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Cassie Porter of Australia looks on from the 10th green during the first round of The Chevron Championship.Source: AFP

Steph Kyriacou and Robyn Choi sit alongside Green at one-over par, while world No.7 Minjee Lee shot a two-over 74.

The three-time major champion has the chance to complete the career grand slam this week at a venue, Memorial Park, where her brother, Min Woo, claimed his maiden PGA Tour victory last year.

Fellow major winner Grace Kim also needs a solid second round to make the cut after an opening 75.

Gabi Ruffels, whose start to the year has been hampered by a wrist injury, is further back at six-over par.

Meanwhile, Korda charged to the top of the leaderboard with a bogey free afternoon round.

The American, who won this event in 2024, lit up the second nine – having teed off the tenth – with five birdies to establish a two-shot buffer from 2021 champion Patty Tavatanakit and Korea’s Somi Lee.

“What was I impressed with? Overall everything,” Korda told reporters post-round.

“I made some good putts for par as well. I actually made a really long one on my first hole which could have started out the day with a bogey and I didn’t. I made a really solid putt.

“Even on the second hole where I saved probably a five-footer for birdie and I think I saved almost a seven-footer — sorry for par. And I also saved about a seven, six-, seven-foot slider for par on the first hole.

“So made some good up and downs. Made some good saves for par. I think just overall I was pretty happy with every part of the game.

“Just maybe hit my driver a little bit far left and right on a couple holes. There wasn’t just one direct miss. But on a golf course like this where the rough isn’t too high I think it’s okay.”

Nelly Korda smiles towards her caddie on the ninth green after the first round of the Chevron Championship.Source: AP

The story of the day, however, belonged to amateur Farah O’Keefe, who shot a four-under 68.

A bogey at the last was O’Keefe’s only blemish for the day.

The world No.4 amateur is from the University of Texas and recently shot 64 in a practice round at Augusta National ahead of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

“It was kind of last minute (the invite). Got it right after ANWA,” O’Keefe said.

“When Taylor told me that, she told me I got an invitation I was like, no chance. That’s crazy.

“Because it was kind of always one of those things where I was like, dang, I’m from Texas. It’s the only event in Texas. That would be really, really special to play in the Chevron. And then when the invitation came I was like, all right, cool. We got it. It’s game time. Let’s go.”