Charley Hull explains reason for Olympics nightmare

Only two players shot worse than Charley Hull on day one of the women’s Olympic golf competition.

The 28-year-old, who feared a smoking ban could derail her gold medal bid, signed for a nine-over 81 at Le Golf National in Paris.

But after her round, Hull explained that her nightmare start was nothing to do with a lack of cigarettes.

Instead, she pointed to a shoulder injury that is causing her bother.

“Definitely not,” Hull said, when asked if her poor score was a result of not smoking on the course. “It’s because I’ve been injured.”

A double bogey on the first hole put Hull on the back foot before three bogeys in four holes ended a disastrous front nine.

It’s not over yet for the world No.11, though, as she targets a low score tomorrow after getting a round under her belt.

• PGA Tour pro gets ‘huge surprise’ playing in same event as sons

• PGA Tour winner backs Rory McIlroy over bold Olympics claim

“First week back really after my injury, so to get that round out of the way and [use it as a] bit of a warmup for the British Open now, I’ll take it,” Hull said.

“I feel a bit rusty because obviously it’s been five weeks since I last played properly a four-day event.

“But I played ten rounds of golf in six days, and I practice every day from six in the morning till six in the evening, so I played a lot of golf.

“When I obviously did have an injury, it knocks your confidence, not how I’m swinging it but more mentally.

“I did actually have it going at Evian, after my first round, I was still a bit injured there, I was sore but now I’ve got one round under my belt, and tomorrow, go low.”

• How Olympic golfer has changed country for this year’s Games

• Olympic golfer makes crazy side bet with dad – and WINS!

Hull is nearing full strength again after a busy rehabilitation period, but what caused the injury?

Allow the two-time LPGA Tour winner to explain.

“I fell over coming out of the shower before I was getting my flight [on the way back from America], I thought I tore my thing — nothing come up. I just have a bit of arthritis now in my shoulder.

“The team and I then had to pull out of the Aramco and had a week-and-a-half off golf because I thought I tore something in there.

“So I had an MRI and then — my hip was out, and I shouldn’t have played Evian.

“I was just saying to my agent, I’m so frustrated. I wish I didn’t have a shower before my flight now.”

This week’s event is Hull’s first since missing the cut at the Evian Championship in July, where she opened with a round of 79.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.