Charley Hull issues challenge to internet troll

Charley Hull has issued a challenge to an internet troll who claims he could “make every cut” on the LPGA.

Hull, who narrowly missed out on a third LPGA title at the weekend, losing to Minjee Lee in a playoff for the Kroger Queen City Championship, threw down the gauntlet to the unnamed individual who replied to a tweet by prominent golf coach Lou Stagner.

Stagner shared a screengrab of a direct message sent to him that read: “I am a 3 handicapper that plays from 6900 yards and I hit my driver 290. I would make every cut on the LPGA and be a top20 playr [sic].”

Stagner shared the post, saying: “This guy would finish DFL in every single event.”

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Unsurprisingly, the post has attracted a lot of attention, with Solheim Cup star Hull one of several high-profile names to respond.

“Shall we sort this game out?” she replied. “I’ll let him play off the red tees whilst I’ll play off the whites.”

PGA Tour winner Greg Chalmers also replied.

“What I love about this is the ability to just totally discount how much pressure you play under as a top 20 player (on any tour) but apparently this guy is cool as a cucumber,” wrote the Australian.

Adam Shadoff, an American sportscaster married to Hull’s fellow English pro Jodi Ewart Shadoff, added: “The average score of a 3 handicap (assuming rounds on a variety of reasonably difficult courses) is mid to high 70s. The 20th best scoring average on the LPGA Tour right now (Minjee Lee) is 70.8. And that includes tournament pressure, crowds, cameras, putting everything out, etc.”

Hull, of course, has bigger fish to fry just now.

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Next week, she will play in her sixth Solheim Cup as Europe bids to complete an unprecedented three-peat in the biennial clash.

With 12.5 points from 19 matches, she has a 65.8% record in the contest and will be central to Suzann Pettersen’s hopes of leading Europe to victory at Finca Cortesin.

“I’m looking forward to the Solheim,” she said on Sunday. “I’m looking forward to doing some work next week with my coach and just getting into it again and closing out the season.

“I’m looking forward to working hard this winter, and Solheim I’m looking forward to.

“Suzann is going to be a great captain. She’s one of my favorite players ever to play the game, so it’s pretty cool. Wish she was on the team.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor