Charley Hull was visibly upset, stating she is “shattered.” Given the year she’s had, it’s understandable why she feels this way.

Charley Hull Expresses ‘Shattered’ Emotions with Insincere Tears. Considering the year she’s experienced, it’s understandable why she feels this way.

Following the U.S. Women’s Open in early June, Charley Hull appeared on Dan Le Batard’s popular ESPN Radio show after achieving a top-20 finish at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania and gaining attention for a viral moment with a half-smoked cigarette.

A few minutes into the interview, Jon Weiner, known by his nickname “Stugotz” and co-hosting with Le Batard, asked Hull a serious question: “How many cigarettes per round do you—?”

Le Batard interjected, saying, “Enough with the cigarettes! I assured her from the start that we wouldn’t exhaust her with cigarette talk.”

However, Stugotz, a smoker himself, continued to insist.

“—because, Dan, it’s heading somewhere. I want to stop. She wants to stop too. I think we’re about to make a pact.”

Hull mentioned to Stugotz that she smokes five cigarettes per round, but the conversation unveiled much more than just her habit. It highlighted that the 28-year-old Brit and her team are keen for Hull to be recognized for far more than merely her nicotine consumption—and understandably so.

This highlights the issue with internet virality: once you’re branded online — as was Hull’s experience when her viral moment began with a GOLF.com social media post — it can be hard to escape that association, whether it’s positive or negative. Consider last week’s Solheim Cup; when a journalist shared footage of Hull interacting with fans at the rope line and borrowing someone’s lighter, Golf Twitter quickly took notice. Barstool Sports joined the conversation by publishing an article naming Hull “the People’s Golfer” and praising her mid-round cigarette lighting as “the coolest thing you ever did see.” The cigarette, aviator sunglasses, and overall glam vibe all seem to complement each other seamlessly. Even during the Paris Olympics where smoking wasn’t permitted, her habit turned into part of the narrative—reporters speculated on how not being able to smoke might impact Hull’s performance.

While there are downsides, there have also been benefits: the widespread curiosity surrounding Hull’s smoking has undoubtedly boosted her visibility (with 662,000 Instagram followers and counting) and marketability during a season where she’s shown impressive form. Although Hull hasn’t secured a win this year, her performance suggests that victory is near—she achieved four top-25 finishes in the five majors, three other top-10 placements, and led Europe with three wins at the Solheim Cup. This included an emphatic 6-and-4 victory over world No. 1 Nelly Korda. “I can’t believe she hasn’t won a major yet,” exclaimed Laura Davies after observing Hull’s singles match; Davies herself is no stranger to success with four major victories under her belt. “She’s so talented.”

Hull is known for many other qualities that have contributed to her rising Q-rating. For instance, she tends to be very candid—perhaps more so than her management team at IMG would prefer. During an appearance on Le Batard’s show, she unexpectedly mentioned breaking up with her boyfriend just a week before the U.S. Open. In another example of openness during a Telegraph interview earlier this year, Hull shared that she’s had lip fillers: “I’ve had half a mil in my lips, but that’s quite common among girls my age,” she explained.

Years ago, when she was chosen as a captain’s pick for her first Solheim Cup at just 17 years old, she recalled feeling “disappointed” because there was “a birthday party I was supposed to attend that weekend.” Despite this initial disappointment, Hull quickly won over the media with her frankness. During a group press conference at the same Solheim Cup event, she candidly spoke about her composed teammate Suzann Pettersen sitting beside her: “She’s really experienced but not actually that old—honestly meant in a nice way. Next question please.”

This has always been Hull’s story. Raised in Northamptonshire, England, Charley Hull left school at the age of 12 when her parents—Dave, a plasterer and Basienka, a skilled tennis player—decided to homeschool her. However, it’s uncertain how much formal education she received during this time. In an interview with Golf Monthly in 2020, Charley shared that after leaving school she dedicated herself entirely to golf: “I didn’t focus on any academics; I just played golf,” referring to countless hours spent practicing at Kettering Golf Club. “While others were in class from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., my schedule was filled with playing golf during those same hours daily,” she explained. “Sometimes older boys would skip their classes too so they could join me for matches.”

Charley Hull welcomes the challenge of hostile Solheim Cup crowds.

Charley’s initial coach didn’t emphasize technique but rather encouraged her to hit the ball with maximum power. By age 11, she had achieved a scratch handicap. Her breakthrough victory occurred at the English Girls Under-13 Championship and was soon followed by several titles in U.S. competitions against top American juniors. After securing wins at both the Welsh and English Amateurs in 2011, Hull turned professional at just 16 years old. Within a year, she earned a spot on the Solheim Cup team for what would become seven appearances overall, during which she’s scored an impressive cumulative total of 16.5 points—only surpassed by seven players from either side throughout history.

Hull channels a John Daly-like spirit not just through her love of tobacco and straightforward nature. Much like Daly, Hull embraces playing quickly with an aggressive approach on the course. A perfect example was during last year’s U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach when she faced a crucial shot obstructed by a tree in the middle of the 18th fairway. After discussing options with her caddie, Adam Woodward, she chose to take action based on her philosophy: “Shy kids don’t get the sweets,” meaning no risk brings no reward. With branches above and trunk before her, Hull launched into motion with a drawing fairway wood that seemed bound for greatness—nearly reaching green but ultimately finding its way into a bunker instead—a testament both to how boldly Hull approaches golf as well life itself.

Hull has been candid about her Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder diagnosis in 2023. She admits that the condition can lead to feelings of impatience and being “cut-offish,” but finds competitive golf, which demands intense focus, to be a remedy. Her daily gym sessions featuring notoriously tough workouts also provide benefits, as does staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Hull mentions smoking as another helpful diversion: “I now know what to do,” she shared last year, “so I manage it much better.”

Following her impressive performance against Korda in Virginia, Hull wasted no time getting back to work. She caught a flight to New York City for some sponsor and media engagements before heading to Cincinnati for the LPGA event, the Kroger Queen City Championship. The Solheim Cup had been an intense week not just for Hull but for all participants involved—4:30 AM wake-up calls, shuttle rides, press interviews—a hefty load of responsibility on their shoulders. “And then there was the adrenaline from the weekend,” Hull remarked earlier this week at Kroger. “I played all five matches with lots of adrenaline and now I feel like I’ve hit a bit of a downturn because I’m just so tired.” But it wasn’t merely exhaustion; she described herself as feeling “absolutely shattered.”

She’s holding on. Hull secured her spot by three strokes on Friday, and at four under par for the tournament, she trails Lydia Ko’s lead by seven shots. This might not be the week she achieves her first LPGA victory since fall 2022—but then again, anything is possible.