Women’s Open: Charley Hull steals spotlight, leads by 1 at St. Andrews

Charley Hull took over St. Andrews Thursday afternoon at the AIG Women’s Open. She fired off an incredible 5-under 67 to lead the field by one shot.

The Englishwoman picks up where she left off from last year’s AIG Women’s Open when Hull finished runner-up to Lilia Vu.

She made six birdies and one bogey on the day. Hull made the turn at 1-under, then got into a groove on the back. She birdied the 10th, 12th, 15th and 18th holes.

Hull stole the show with her aviators and vaping on top of her impressive round as she enjoyed this incredible golf course.

“Yeah, it was loads of fun out there today,” Hull said. “Actually, before my round, I was in there watching it on the TV when I saw the scores, and I thought, how is she 4-under par; that was an unbelievable score.”

“I’d take that now because it was gusting a lot on the range, and I said to my coach, feels like they could call it at any minute because I don’t know how the balls are staying on the greens. To go out there, shoot 5-under, play pretty solid, it was a lot of fun.”

The 40 mph winds were a huge concern ahead of Thursday’s round, but the R&A set up the course well enough to avoid stoppage of play. For Hull, she got the luck of the draw and felt like, down the stretch, it finally let up.

“I’d say the last three holes were a bit easier,” she said. “It dropped. But making the turn, it was really strong. It was very strong, especially when we had a hold-up on 11. It got really cold there, as well.”

Hull is not usually a links golf player, but she took the time and prepared the last few weeks with her coach for this tournament.

“I’ve been working hard on it the last few weeks, so he’s got me prepared and working on some three-quarter shots,” Hull explained. “After the Olympics, I went to Turnberry and played with my boyfriend there — that was fun. It was getting me in preparation for links golf. I played well at the Scottish Open last week, came fifth, and mentally starting to like it.”

The biggest change is her three-quarter shots and staying patient.

“Sometimes it’s blowing so hard off the left, it might sound silly aiming 50 yards left, but it’s the right thing to do, and you’ve just got to trust your lines and your caddie,” she said.

Hull played alongside World No. 1 Nelly Korda and Vu. Korda shot a 4-under 68, while Vu recorded a 3-under 69.

Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images

This group was one of the best pairings of the entire event, and they did not disappoint. Hull played better than both and noted how good it felt to perform like that with two of the best players in the world.

“I love playing with them two girls,” Hull said. “Nelly is an unbelievable ball striker, Lilia is a great putter. Even when they’re making some bogeys, you think the whole field finds this tricky, so you stay in the moment. They’re two quick players, as well, so I enjoy that. But no, it’s all fun.”

They will play together again for Friday’s round as they tee off at 3:55 a.m. ET on the 10th hole.

Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.