Stephanie Meadow and Leona Maguire enjoy solid starts at The Chevron Championship major

Stephanie Meadow and Leona Maguire both made solid starts at the first major of the year in Texas.

Out early on the opening day of the prestigious Chevron Championship, Meadow posted a first-round 71 to sit on one-under heading into the second round.

The Jordanstown native is five shots off the lead in a share of 17th place with American Lauren Coughlin atop the leaderboard following an impressive six-under 66.

Meadow was two-under at the turn following birdies at the fourth and seventh holes, however, she handed them back with dropped shots on the 11th and 16th.

A third and final birdie arrived on the par-three 17th to get back under par and maintain a top 20 position ahead of Friday's play.

Maguire will start her second round one shot further down the field following a level par opening round at The Woodlands.

The Cavan women recovered from a double bogey seven on the par-five fourth hole with birdies on the 10th, 13th and 14th. However, Maguire dropped one more shot on the 15th before three straight pars to finish.

American Marina Alex shares second place with Minami Katsu from Japan on four-under-par, while world number one, Nelly Korda, was a late starter and currently sits in a share of eighth place on two under par after 16 holes.

Defending champion Lilia Vu withdrew from the tournament moments before her first-round tee time due to a back injury.

According to the LPGA, Vu withdrew after her pre-round warmups. Vu had been battling the injury and said before the first major of the season that her body felt "95 per cent there".

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