Nelly Korda carried a two-shot lead into the second round of the 2026 Chevron Championship on Friday morning after a bogey-free seven-under 65 at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston.
The second round began Friday morning at Memorial Park, where Korda had separated herself from the field on Thursday and put herself in command of the LPGA major. Patty Tavatanakit and Somi Lee were tied for second at five under after the opening round, while defending champion Mao Saigo started Round 2 eight shots behind Korda.
Jeeno Thitikul, the world No. 1 who has never won a major, had more ground to make up after a two-over 74 on Thursday left her in 80th place when play resumed. Korda entered the event as the 2024 Chevron champion and World No. 2, a form line that made her Thursday start look even stronger when she went out in control and stayed there all day.
The Friday schedule gave fans a full day to follow the chase. Golf Channel carried second-round coverage from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET and again from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET, with Peacock simulcasting the 11 a.m. ET start live. Tee times were set in morning and afternoon waves, beginning at 8:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.
That left Korda in a familiar spot and the rest of the field in pursuit. At a major where one clean round can redraw the board, her opening 65 did more than build an early cushion — it forced the players behind her to keep pace on a course already asking for precision.