Charley Hull has made it clear that she "doesn't mind" the wave of criticism that followed her light‑hearted pre‑tournament stunt involving her caddie, and she managed to push through a night of limited rest to stay firmly in contention for the AIG Women’s Open title. After opening with a solid 69, Hull carded a level‑par 71 on Friday morning at Royal Lytham & St Annes. The round featured three birdies balanced by three bogeys, leaving her two strokes under par and firmly in the mix as the final major of the season heads into the weekend.

The controversy began when Hull revealed, before the tournament started, that she had convinced her caddie, Adam "Adsy" Woodward, that he had won a £100,000 prize on a scratch‑card. She filmed the ruse after purchasing a counterfeit ticket from a novelty shop in Blackpool, then posted the video online. The clip quickly attracted a flood of comments, many of which were critical of the joke. Hull says the reaction has not shaken her confidence.

She insists her caddie took the prank in stride and that their bond is stronger than the headlines suggest. "We’re incredibly close," Hull explained after her round. "Adam is like a big brother to me and one of my best friends. He’s always ribbing me, and he thought the joke was brilliant.

He laughed about it, showed it to everyone, and when the backlash started, I just told people to lighten up." She added that humor is a personal thing: "If you don’t get my sense of humour, that’s fine – my friends do, and that’s why they’re my friends. I wouldn’t play that kind of joke on a stranger who might not take it well." Hull’s relationship with Woodward, she noted, is built on a long history of banter.

"Adsy is the king of pranks. The amount of jokes he and his fellow caddies pull is massive, and he finds it hilarious. He’s a laid‑back guy and people need to chill out about it. He even texted me saying this has been one of the funniest weeks of his life because of the prank, and he wants the negativity to stop.

If anyone has something negative to say, I don’t care," she said. When pressed about how she deals with the negative commentary, Hull responded that it actually fuels her performance. "These comments make me want to work harder.

We live in a world where you can’t do anything without being judged, and that can stop people from living the life they want. I just stay true to myself. Our household is full of banter; we’re always teasing each other.

That’s how I was raised, and I think people need to develop a thicker skin." She also pointed out that being in the spotlight inevitably brings criticism. "If you put yourself out there, you should expect some negativity. Some people seem to be looking for sympathy, saying I’m struggling because of the comments.

I think they’re missing the bigger picture." Hull didn’t shy away from a blunt retort either. "You’re in a good position in life. There are people far worse off, and you’re complaining about a few nasty comments.

Grow a pair of balls and move on, you know what I mean? If the worst thing happening to you is a few mean remarks, then your life can’t be that bad." Despite the drama, Hull admitted she had only managed about three hours of sleep before her second round. The Englishwoman, a five‑time major runner‑up who has finished second twice in the last three years at this particular event, said she was ready to face the challenge.

"I’m really looking forward to it," Hull said. "It’s going to be a lot of fun. My nerves have settled now. My back was a little sore today, which is why I didn’t strike the ball as cleanly as I’d like.

But I’m not too far back going into the weekend – better than last year!" Hull’s focus remains on the tournament rather than the online chatter. She is determined to keep her game sharp and to contend for the championship.

The AIG Women’s Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with coverage extending through Saturday midday and beyond for viewers who want to follow the action. Overall, Hull’s message is clear: humor, resilience, and a strong bond with her caddie have helped her navigate the criticism and stay in the hunt for a major title.

As the weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on whether her light‑hearted approach translates into a victory at Royal Lytham & St Annes.