Charley Hull is not just playing golf in Arkansas; she is proving that a big win can reset a player’s entire mindset. The English star fired a 6-under 65 on Friday at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, a score that puts her in a share of second place and just one shot behind leader Yu Liu. This performance is stunning given she spent the previous week fighting a severe case of the flu and nearly withdrew from the event entirely. While recovering, Hull confessed to skipping golf for five straight days, yet she dominated the opening round at Pinnacle Country Club.
The Solheim Cup Boost
The confidence Hull displays right now stems directly from her recent victory in the Solheim Cup, where Europe reclaimed the trophy with a 15-13 win over the United States. She opened her round with four birdies on the first six holes, a hot start that she attributes to beating her friend Megan Khang in the singles match just two weeks prior. Hull embraced the praise in her post-round interview, telling reporters, “Yeah, it made me very, very confident knowing that I beat you, Megan,” per Yahoo Sports. She noted that having Khang play in front of her made her feel comfortable, even though Khang held her up on a couple of holes.
Hull’s physical state heading into this week was far from ideal, as she suffered from tonsillitis during the final two days of the Solheim Cup in the Netherlands. After the victory, teammates celebrated while she retired early due to severe illness, a sacrifice that could have ruined her preparation for this week. Despite the lack of practice, Hull told the media, “It wasn’t really the best prep, but actually I come in here with no expectations and felt like I hit it pretty well tee-to-green and putted decent,” according to the same outlet. This lack of pressure seems to be the key, allowing her to play freely without the heavy nerves that usually accompany a major tournament.
A Bold New Look
Hull’s post-round chat also covered her new, darker hair color, a change she made on a whim despite her boyfriend’s objections. Hull chuckled when questioned about the choice, stating, “I don’t know, I just felt like I wanted to do it,” and disclosed that her partner opposed the switch. Hull plans to return to her traditional blonde hair after Christmas, but for now, the darker shade matches her bold play on the course.
The field in Arkansas features a strong contingent of European Solheim Cup players, including Hull’s partner Lottie Woad and Caley McGinty, who both posted impressive scores. Woad added a 66, while McGinty matched that effort to share fourth place, celebrating a 26th birthday with a career-best financial week. Hull’s ability to bounce back from illness and dominate the opening round suggests she has found a rhythm that will carry her through the weekend. With the Solheim Cup hangover often hitting players hard, Hull has flipped the script by using that victory as fuel rather than a distraction.
As the tournament moves into the weekend, the real test will be whether Hull can maintain this level of play without the safety net of low expectations. She trails Yu Liu by one stroke and holds a share of second with Celine Boutier, setting up a dramatic final two days.
