Kiara Romero, the world No. 1 amateur, shot 1-under par in the first round of the Chevron Championship at Memorial Park in Houston. The 20-year-old Oregon player surged early with a 3-under front nine and a birdie on the par-5 14th before late bogeys. Her calm demeanor amid setbacks highlighted her potential on the LPGA stage.
Romero started strong Thursday, reaching 4-under after stuffing her third shot on the par-5 14th to five feet for birdie, putting her near the early lead. At the par-3 15th, she missed the green short and left, chipping up but missing par. On the ensuing par-5, with her father Rick watching, she hung her approach right into the water, leading to bogey on 16 after par on 17 and another bogey on 18 from a missed six-footer, closing at 1-under after bogeying three of her final four holes. Her head never dropped, exuding unflappable confidence her father described as avoiding 'wasted energy.'
