Charley Hull was in the middle of a Solheim Cup practice round Thursday morning when the Englishwoman paused to interact with a spectator. It wasn’t to sign an autograph, or even to pose for pictures, at least not initially. Team Europe’s most visible member, at least based on her social media following, instead wanted to borrow a cigarette lighter.
To the delight of smiling patrons in the gallery who began gathering images on their phones, Hull was able to satisfy her nicotine fix, re-creating a viral scene that has become linked with the unapologetic world No. 12 since this spring’s U.S. Women’s Open.
Over the past few months, her online popularity has swelled to include 625,000 followers on Instagram. At Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Hull drew robust support, even at times from those wearing Team USA colors, as she made her way around the grounds for a final tuneup.
Hull is set to go out first for the Europeans in Friday morning foursomes, joining German partner Esther Henseleit for the opening match against Americans Nelly Korda, ranked No. 1 in the world, and Allisen Corpuz.
“She’s different than everyone else, and that’s why people love her, and that’s why, like — she’s just really fun to be around and a really genuine, kind person,” said Hull’s European teammate and fellow Brit Georgia Hall, a close friend. “Obviously a great golfer, so obviously that helps, but yeah, I think the fact she doesn’t care what anyone thinks and goes about her life the way she wants, I think a lot of people can learn from that.”
Hull’s most significant bump on social media unfolded at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club the Tuesday before the start of the U.S. Women’s Open after she began smoking on the way to the range. When a line of youthful fans excitedly called to ask her for autographs, Hull signed each request, all while nursing a lit cigarette.
As the video and associated images made the rounds on the internet, Hull began being hailed as a female version of John Daly, the two-time major champion whose penchant for smoking, not to mention length off the tee and carefree attitude on and off the course, only added to his everyman persona.
Hull, 28, also joined the pantheon of golfers from an earlier era who were known to enjoy a cigarette on the course, most notably Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer. Take, for instance, the famous image of both players smoking while waiting at the tee at Augusta National during the Masters in 1966.
Hull has said she began smoking cigarettes as a means to help her quit vaping; she even signed a cigarette during the U.S. Women’s Open. No word if a similar request surfaced during her practice rounds at Robert Trent Jones, which is hosting the Solheim Cup for the first time.
“She’s interacting great with the fans around this place,” European captain Suzann Pettersen said Thursday. “She found exactly what she needed in that one guy standing there, so she’s having a ball.”
As to the potentially damaging health implications of smoking, Pettersen said: “She’s old enough to make those decisions.”
Roughly a month after she gained online stardom at the U.S. Women’s Open, Hull’s popularity soared again after her decision to skip practice at the Dow Championship in late June to watch a England-Slovenia match at the Euro 2024 tournament. She did so at a nearby pub, meaning she hadn’t played the Midland (Mich.) Country Club front nine before the tournament began.
Still, Hull and Hall, her playing partner for the week, combined to finish tied for fifth at the two-woman stroke play event.
“I think it’s unbelievable how many followers I’ve gained,” Hull said. “I think It’s good because it helps promote the [LPGA] Tour and everything. Yeah, I didn’t actually realize how many I have, but yeah, I just think it’s pretty cool.”
Hull was unaware of the number because she no longer handles her Instagram account. Some six months ago, she ceded access to her agent, who posts for her after receiving images Hull requests to be added. Hull indicated managing her Instagram account had begun requiring too much of her time.
“You can get too obsessed with it rather than living in the real word,” she said.
Hull enters the Solheim Cup with two top-five finishes in her last four starts, including a solo fifth at the Scottish Open. That was the best result this year for the second highest ranked player on the European roster behind No. 10 Celine Boutier. Hull is making her seventh appearance in the Solheim Cup.
She also owns the distinction of having been the youngest player, at 17, in the Solheim Cup during her debut in 2013. Hull beat Paula Creamer, 5 and 4, in Sunday singles and after the match asked for an autograph, which Creamer happily signed.
Hull has a 12-7-3 record in the Solheim Cup. Last year she collected one point in a draw with the United States in Andalusia, Spain, allowing the Europeans to retain. Europe has won or retained for three consecutive cycles, matching the longest such run for either side in the history of the Solheim Cup.
“I’m just myself,” Hull said. “If I like things, I like it for myself. If other people don’t like it, well, it’s not their life. I live me. I live my life the way I want to live it, not how anyone else wants me to live it.”
