Charley Hull has made it clear that the backlash she received for a light‑hearted prank on her caddie has not shaken her focus, and she remains firmly in the hunt for the AIG Women’s Open title. After opening with a 69, Hull posted a level‑par 71 on Friday morning at Royal Lytham & St Annes, carding three birdies and three bogeys to sit at two under par heading into the weekend. Her score keeps her among the leaders in what is the final major of the season.
The controversy began when Hull revealed, prior to the tournament, that she had convinced her caddie, Adam "Adsy" Woodward, that he had won a £100,000 prize on a scratch‑card. The ruse was captured on video after Hull bought a novelty ticket from a Blackpool joke shop and showed it to Woodward, who believed the claim for a brief moment. The clip quickly spread on social media, prompting a wave of criticism from some fans who felt the joke was in poor taste. Hull, however, says the banter is a natural part of her relationship with Woodward.
"I don’t think people understand the dynamic between me and Adsy," she explained after her round. "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. He laughed about it and even showed it to others.
When you see all the negative comments, I just tell people to lighten up." She added that the humor is personal and that her inner circle gets it, which is why she would never pull a stunt on someone who might not appreciate it. "If you don’t get my humor, that’s fine – my friends do, and that’s why they’re my friends. I wouldn’t do that to a random person who I knew would take offense," Hull said.
Hull also defended Woodward’s reputation as a prankster, noting that he is known among his caddie peers for pulling jokes. "Adsy is the king of pranks. The amount of jokes he and his fellow caddies pull is insane, and he finds it hilarious. He’s a laid‑back guy and people need to chill out about it.
He’s actually loving the attention," she said. When Woodward texted her the night before, he described the week as "one of the funniest ever because of that prank," and urged people to stop posting negative remarks. When pressed about how she deals with the criticism, Hull responded that the comments fuel her determination. "They actually make me want to do better because we live in a world where you can’t do anything wrong these days, and that mindset stops people from living the life they want," she said.
Hull emphasized that she was raised in a household where teasing is normal, and she expects others to develop a thicker skin. "I don’t care – I just live me. Our family is full of banter and we’re always taking the mickey out of each other.
It’s just the way I was brought up, and people need to be a bit more resilient," she added. Hull also pointed out the inevitability of scrutiny when you occupy a spotlight. "If you put yourself in the limelight, you should expect comments like that. Some people act as if I’m struggling because of the criticism, but they’re actually looking for sympathy," she remarked.
She challenged detractors by reminding them of the broader perspective: "You’re in a good position in life. There are people far worse off, and you’re moaning about what others say about you. Grow a pair of balls and just forget about it, you know what I mean? If the worst thing in life is people saying bad stuff about you, then your life can’t be that bad." Hull also disclosed that she had only managed about three hours of sleep before her second round, yet the lack of rest did not deter her.
The Englishwoman, a five‑time major runner‑up who has finished second twice in the last three years at this event, said she was ready for the challenge ahead. "I’m really looking forward to it.
It’s going to be loads of fun. My nerves have settled down now. My back was a little sore today, which is why I didn’t strike the ball as cleanly as I wanted," she explained.
"I’m not too far back going into the weekend – better than last year!" Hull’s performance places her among the leaders as the tournament moves into its decisive stages. The AIG Women’s Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with coverage extending through Saturday midday. Fans can also stream the action without a contract via the Sky Sports Golf platform.
In summary, Charley Hull has brushed off the social‑media uproar surrounding her caddie prank, emphasizing that her bond with Adam Woodward is built on mutual humor and trust. She remains undeterred, focusing on her game and aiming to convert her strong position into a major championship victory. The upcoming weekend promises an exciting showdown as Hull and the rest of the field vie for the coveted title.