Staff WriterCharley Hull, the ever-battling, ever-blunt torchbearer of English women’s golf, rolls into Centurion Club this week with more tape than a Christmas present and just as much sparkle.
Fresh off a hard-fought T2 finish at the AIG Women’s Open, Hull is back on home turf for the PIF London Championship — the third stop of the 2025 PIF Global Series — running August 8–10, and looking like she’s ready to tee it up even if someone has to wheelbarrow her to the first hole.
“I feel good coming into this week,” Hull said. “I played really well the last two rounds last week. From Friday afternoon, I played very well.”
That might be the understatement of the year from a woman who, days earlier, was wondering if she’d even survive the cut. Illness, a back injury, and a fainting spell at Evian had left Hull more twisted than a pretzel, and links golf — which she freely admits is not her natural habitat — didn’t make things any easier.
“I was ill and I hurt my back, and links golf is not my comfort zone,” she said. “But my coach Matt, my putting coach Nick, and I worked very hard that week to get me where I am in my game, so big credit to them.”
A Fighter’s Fix
Hull’s game tweaks were as precise as her iron play when she’s firing on all cylinders. “I was working on getting my hands more forward when putting,” she said. “I had too much wrist in my backswing, so I was eliminating the wrist movement… staying more grounded through the ball.”
All this was done while recovering from what sounded like a week-long audition for Casualty. “I fainted three times, lost my balance, and then pulled my back out,” she said, candidly. “On Wednesday night, I said to someone that I didn’t think I would make the cut and couldn’t picture it in my head.”
But come Sunday, she hadn’t struck a bad shot. “Just worked hard to get my feel back,” she shrugged. Classic Hull — minimal fuss, maximum grind.
Back on Home Turf
Hull now returns to Centurion Club — and if you think she’s strolling in fresh and limber, think again. “I took Monday and Tuesday off because I was absolutely knackered,” she said. “Had so much adrenaline coming in, and the wind is tiring.”
To make matters more farcical, she’s also spent the past six weeks off her beloved fitness routine.
Then a car park curb and an ankle had an unkind meeting. “I rolled my ankle yesterday in the car park,” she explained, deadpan. “I was lying on the floor shouting for my boyfriend to come get me.”
Even Thomas Bjørn agrees. “Thomas said every time he sees me, I’m lying down somewhere,” Hull laughed. “I don’t do it on purpose; I’m naturally clumsy. It runs in my dad’s genes.”
Family, Fans, and a Flash of Fire
Hull’s reflections turned to her dad — a calming presence at tournaments who prefers grassy mounds to grandstands. “He gets nervous watching me but he’s the most relaxed dad ever,” she said. “He only got angry once… when I hit low shots at my coach with a seven iron when I was seven.”
That story ended with snapped clubs, a lesson learned, and a next-day trip to buy a new set. “I think that’s important for kids growing up in golf — parents need to find the right balance so kids love the game,” she said.
Back in Wales, the fans were electric and Hull felt every volt. “It was electric, especially at 14 on Sunday,” she said. “The crowds behind me were really encouraging. I felt a lot of pressure with family, friends, and crowds watching, but it showed me the extra practice I put in paid off even when I wasn’t feeling 100%.”
As for Golf Saudi and the PIF Global Series, Hull credits them with making a significant difference — especially for the next generation.
“When I first went to Saudi in 2020, there weren’t really any women playing golf there,” she said. “Over the next few years, the amount of young kids playing has been unbelievable. They put on big events, they treat us incredibly well… it’s really good for women’s golf.”
Eyes on the International Crown
Hull’s schedule ahead is just as stacked as her treatment table. She’s confirmed to play in the International Crown and likely both Korean events, including the BMW Ladies Championship.
Despite the run of misfortune that would make Job wince, she’s adamant she’ll tee it up this week. “I will be teeing up tomorrow,” she said. “I just want to make sure everything is 100%. My luck has been a bit annoying lately — one thing after another. But hitting balls shouldn’t be an issue.”
Clumsy, candid, and completely unfiltered, Charley Hull remains a crowd-pleaser and a contender, even when she’s patched up like a touring drummer. And with her return to Centurion, British fans will be hoping she stumbles into another leaderboard charge — just hopefully not over another curb.
