English golfer Charley Hull carded a resilient 71 in the second round of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, moving to minus-two overall and five shots behind leader Ryu Hae-ran, according to tournament reports. Despite intense media scrutiny following a viral caddie prank and a reported three-hour sleep schedule, Hull defended her approach and dismissed her critics in post-round interviews.
Charley Hull Defends Prank and Slams Critics After Second Round
The 30-year-old golfer faced heavy backlash after tricking her long-time caddie, Adam Woodward, into believing he had won £100,000 from a fake scratchcard. Laura Davies, one of the greats of women’s golf, publicly called the actions “extremely cruel,” while other commentators castigated the English star following her opening round.
Rather than back down, Hull doubled down on her stance when speaking with reporters. According to Hull, critics unhappy with public commentary need to “grow a pair of balls and just forget about it.” She noted that her boyfriend told her “free publicity is good publicity” and that they laughed off the episode before moving on.
Did you know? Adam Woodward, Hull’s caddie and close friend, reportedly texted Hull after the incident to say this has been “one of the funniest weeks ever,” dismissing the public outcry entirely according to player remarks.
Sleep Deprivation Claims Dispelled as Hull Pursues First Major
Rumors that Hull suffered from sleep deprivation ahead of her second round were quickly dismissed by the player herself. While outside observers assumed a three-hour rest window hampered her game, Hull clarified that her sleep patterns fluctuate wildly.
“I slept 12 hours the night before,” Hull stated, explaining that adrenaline and a late finish delayed her wind-down time. She added that she can easily sleep up to 16 or even 20 hours straight when time permits.
That rest proved sufficient as Hull navigated tougher conditions at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Her round featured a brilliant greenside bunker shot that found the bottom of the cup on the 17th hole, though she twice backed off her approach earlier after being distracted by a fidgety cameraman.
Leaderboard Update: Ryu Leads as European Hopefuls Struggle
At minus-two overall, Hull sits five shots behind tournament leader Ryu Hae-ran, who is seeking a third Major win in as many starts. Shiho Kuwaki sits one stroke back at six under, while Spanish amateur Paula Martín Sampedro matched Hull’s total.
Meanwhile, several prominent contenders exited the tournament early. Leona Maguire missed the cut at five over, joined by Lauren Walsh at eight over and Anna Foster at 10 over. Georgia Hall missed the cut at the venue where she won the 2018 Women’s Open, effectively ending any lingering hopes of reaching this year’s Solheim Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Charley Hull say about her critics?
Following backlash over a caddie prank, Charley Hull told reporters that individuals bothered by public comments should “grow a pair of balls” and focus on perspective, noting that people facing public scrutiny have relatively comfortable lives compared to others.
Where is the 2026 AIG Women’s Open taking place?
The tournament is being held at Royal Lytham & St Annes in Lancashire.
How did Charley Hull perform in the second round?
Hull shot a resilient 71 in tough conditions, bringing her aggregate score to minus-two, five shots behind leader Ryu Hae-ran.
What are your thoughts on Charley Hull’s comments and her performance at Royal Lytham? Join the conversation below and share your perspective on this year’s Women’s Open drama!