Charley Hull: Smoking Ban Could Affect Olympics Chances
The 28-year-old spoke to the media before appearing in the Olympics at Le Golf National, where she admitted a smoking ban at the event could affect her chances
Charley Hull created plenty of headlines at June’s US Women’s Open when she was pictured and filmed signing a fan’s autograph while smoking a cigarette.
By her own admission, “it lit up,” as her habit went viral across social media, while she has also been spotted smoking in subsequent tournaments after taking it up in an attempt to stop vaping.
Following the Major at Lancaster Country Club, Hull vowed to quit “soon,” saying: “I thought if I smoke, I'm going to go outside and smoke a cigarette. When it's a slow round on the golf course I smoke quite a few more than I should. But listen, I will stop soon. It's just when."
For the Olympics at least, where she will play for Team GB at Le Golf National this week, the decision has already been taken for her.
Hull spoke to the media alongside fellow Team GB player Georgia Hall before this week’s tournament, where she admitted she won’t be found smoking as it’s prohibited. She said: “Yeah, I do smoke on the course. It's a habit but I won't do this week. Yeah, just something I do. I don't think you're allowed.”
At the US Women’s Open, Hull remarked that she first took up vaping, then smoking, when she was “a bit stressed” last year, so will the ban affect her in the high-stakes environment of the Olympics? Hull thinks it could. She added: “Yeah, I think it will. Because it relaxes me a little bit. But it is what it is.”
Even without smoking to take the edge off in Paris this week, Hull is determined to make the most of her second Olympics appearance, particularly after her initial experience, at the 2020 Games in Tokyo, had restrictions due to Covid-19.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
She said: “It's really good. Roughly with Covid last time around, it was a bit tricky. But yeah, I'm super excited to do it. Went out and saw the golf course and it was in lovely condition and excited to get out there tomorrow.”
Smoking’s not the only thing Hull has put to one side – involuntarily or otherwise – recently. She also revealed she has curtailed her social media activity of late: “I don't actually go on Instagram,” she said. “I haven't gone on Instagram in about four or five months. I don't go on social media or anything. I just let my agent do it. I just concentrate on my golf and just hang out with Georgia off the golf course.”
Hull gets her challenge underway in a group with Australia’s Hannah Green and the US’s Rose Zhang with a tee time of 3.44am EDT (8.44am BST) in Wednesday’s opening round.
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
'Ryder Cup, Let's Go!' - Matt Wallace Gives Emotional Interview After Omega European Masters Victory
Following a dramatic playoff victory at the Omega European Masters, the Englishman gave an emotional interview following his first win on the DP World Tour since 2018
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Matt Wallace Recovers From Losing Four-Stroke Lead To Win Omega European Masters Title In Playoff
Matt Wallace claimed his first DP World Tour title in six years after playoff success over Alfredo Garcia-Heredia
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
Curtis Cup Stars Sara Byrne And Mimi Rhodes Turn Pro
The Great Britain & Ireland teammates have announced that they have left their amateur careers behind
By Mike Hall Published
-
Junior Solheim Cup Teams 2024: USA And Europe Line-Ups
The 13th edition of the Junior Solheim Cup takes place at Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia - here are the teams
By Mike Hall Published
-
Solheim Cup Tee Times And Full Schedule 2024
Discover when each session of the 2024 Solheim Cup is taking place at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
GB & I Win Curtis Cup For First Time Since 2016 In Thrilling Climax: As It Happened
GB & I defeated Team USA 10.5 - 9.5 at Sunningdale in a fascinating Sunday finish that swung both ways before the hosts finally sealed the deal
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
Curtis Cup Tee Times: Sunday Singles
A thrilling finish is in prospect at Sunningdale with the Sunday singles as Great Britain and the US compete for the Curtis Cup
By Mike Hall Published
-
Big Names Spotted Supporting Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup Team At Sunningdale
Charley Hull and Justin Rose are among the high-profile players who have been offering their support to the hosts as it takes on the US in the biennial match
By Mike Hall Published
-
Dunning Golf Reveals Team USA's Solheim Cup Uniforms
Dunning Golf has brought patriotism to life through the uniforms of the US Solheim Cup team
By Alison Root Published
-
9 Notable Players To Miss The Solheim Cup
Some of the world’s best-known players will compete on the US and European teams at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club match, but several other notable names have missed out
By Mike Hall Published