Charley Hull has made it clear that the flurry of criticism surrounding her recent caddie prank has no bearing on her game. Despite a night of only a few hours of sleep, the English star pressed on at Royal Lytham & St Annes, posting a solid 71 in the second round and remaining just two strokes behind the leader as she fights for the AIG Women’s Open crown. Hull opened the tournament with a 69 and followed it up on Friday morning with a level‑par 71. The round featured three birdies matched by three bogeys, leaving her at –2 and firmly in contention for the final major of the season.

The performance came after a wave of social‑media backlash that erupted when Hull revealed, before the event began, that she had convinced her caddie Adam "Adsy" Woodward that he had won £100,000 on a scratch‑card. The joke was captured on video after Hull bought a fake ticket from a novelty shop in Blackpool and showed it to Woodward, who laughed along with her. In interviews after her round, Hull emphasized that the negative comments did not affect her focus. "I don’t think people understand the relationship between me and Adsy," she said.

"We’re extremely close – he’s like a big brother and one of my best friends. He’s always ribbing me, and he thought the prank was brilliant.

When you see all the criticism, I just tell people to lighten up." Hull went on to explain that humor is a core part of her personal circle. "If my friends get my jokes, that’s why they’re friends with me.

I wouldn’t pull a stunt on a stranger who might not take it well," she added. The Englishwoman, currently ranked seventh in the world, said she is now solely focused on making a weekend charge and possibly securing her first major victory.

She also defended Woodward, calling him "the king of pranks" and noting that his caddie colleagues are even more mischievous. "He’s loving the attention, but people need to chill out. He texted me saying this has been one of the funniest weeks of his career because of the prank, so I’m asking everyone to stop the negative comments. If you have something to say, I don’t care," Hull said with a grin.

When pressed about how she handles the harsh remarks, Hull replied, "They actually motivate me to play better. We live in a world where people expect you to be perfect, and that pressure can stop you from enjoying life.

I don’t care about the haters. In my household we’re always joking and teasing each other – it’s how I was raised. People just need to develop a thicker skin." She added a dose of perspective, pointing out that many people face far tougher challenges. "You’re in a privileged position.

There are people who are far worse off, yet you’re complaining about online comments. Grow a pair of balls and move on," she said, underscoring her belief that criticism is a small price to pay for competing at the highest level.

Hull also acknowledged the physical toll of the tournament. She had managed only about three hours of sleep before her second round, yet she felt ready to tackle the demanding links layout.

"I’m really looking forward to the rest of the weekend. It’s going to be a lot of fun.

My nerves have settled, although my back was a little sore today, which affected my swing a bit," she explained. "I’m not as far back as I was last year, which is a big improvement." The Englishwoman, a five‑time major runner‑up who has finished second twice at the AIG Women’s Open in the past three years, remains determined to break the pattern and claim the trophy. With a solid start to the tournament and a calm attitude toward the surrounding drama, Hull appears poised to make a serious push over the weekend.

Fans can continue to follow the action live on Sky Sports, with coverage extending from Saturday midday through the final round. The tournament promises more drama, skill, and perhaps a few more light‑hearted moments as Hull and her caddie navigate the historic course together.