Chevron Championship: England’s Jodie Ewart Shadoff and Georgia Hall in contention

English pair Jodie Ewart Shadoff and Georgia Hall enjoyed strong starts at the Chevron Championship as American Lauren Coughlin leads.

Coughlin, 31, holds a first-round lead for just the second time in her career.

Ewart Shadoff and Hall both signed for an opening round of 70, ending the day on two under, and four shots adrift of the lead at the first women’s golf major of the season.

World number one Nelly Korda is in a three-way tie for second on four under.

The American is attempting to become the first woman since Annika Sorenstam (2004-05) to win in five consecutive starts, and just the third in the history of the LPGA Tour, also matching Nancy Lopez (1978).

Korda was immediately on the back foot when picking up a bogey on the par-four second but she quickly settled down with four birdies prior to the turn.

Another bogey on the 10th slowed her progress before birdies on the 14th and 17th helped Korda claim a share of second place alongside compatriot Marina Alex and Japan’s Minami Katsu.

“I didn’t think it was going to drain me as much as it did maybe mentally,” said Korda, referring to her run of playing in three consecutive events last month.

“I can still feel a little bit of tiredness, so it took me a while to get going. I felt the nerves at the start of the round.”

Leader Coughlin navigated the The Club at Carlton Woods course superbly, picking up three birdies on the front nine and repeating that feat on the back nine.

Northern Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow shot a 71 and is alongside English amateur Lottie Woad, who is fresh from winning the prestigious Augusta National Women’s Amateur earlier this month.

Last year’s champion Lilia Vu withdrew just before her tee time as the American continues to struggle with a back injury.