Charley Hull has made it clear that the criticism surrounding her pre‑tournament caddie prank does not bother her, 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 69, Hull posted a level‑par 71 on Friday morning at Royal Lytham & St Annes. The round featured three birdies matched 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 scrutiny began when Hull publicly revealed, before the tournament started, that she had convinced her caddie, Adam "Adsy" Woodward, that he had won £100,000 on a scratch‑card. She filmed the moment after buying a counterfeit ticket at a novelty shop in Blackpool, turning the prank into a light‑hearted social‑media post. Hull says the negative reaction on social platforms has not shaken her confidence.

She noted that Woodward took the joke in stride, describing their bond as "like a big brother" and one of her closest friendships. "He’s always ribbing me, and he thought the stunt was brilliant. He even showed it to everyone and was laughing hard," Hull explained after her round. When asked about the flood of critical comments, Hull’s response was simple: "Just lighten up." She added that humor is a personal thing and that her friends understand her sense of comedy, which is why they stay close.

"I wouldn’t pull a prank on someone I knew wouldn’t take it well," she said, emphasizing that the joke was intended for a trusted teammate, not a stranger. Hull also highlighted Woodward’s reputation as a prankster.

"Adsy is the king of pranks. The amount of jokes he and his caddie mates play on each other is massive, and he finds it hilarious," she said. She recounted a text from Woodward the night before, describing the week as "one of the funniest ever because of that prank," and urging critics to stop posting negative remarks. "If you’ve got something bad to say, I don’t care," Hull added.

Regarding how she deals with online negativity, Hull explained that it actually fuels her desire to improve. "We live in a world where you can’t do anything wrong, and that mentality stops people from living the life they want," she said. "I just live my life.

Our household is full of banter; we’re always taking the mickey out of each other. That’s how I was raised, and people need to develop thicker skin." She also pointed out that being in the public eye inevitably invites commentary. "If you put yourself in the spotlight, you should expect comments like these. Some people seem to be looking for sympathy, saying I’m struggling because of the criticism," Hull observed.

She dismissed such narratives, reminding critics that many people face far tougher challenges. "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 forget about it," she said bluntly. 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 event, said she was ready to face the challenge despite the fatigue. "I’m really looking forward to it. It’s going to be loads of fun.

My nerves have settled now," Hull said. She noted a slight soreness in her back that affected her swing, but she felt better than she had at the same point last year. "Not too far back going into the weekend – better than I was last year!" Hull’s performance keeps her within striking distance of the leaderboard, and she remains a serious contender for the championship.

Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, with coverage continuing Saturday from midday. The tournament promises more drama as the field battles the challenging links at Royal Lytham & St Annes, and Hull’s resilience in the face of criticism adds another layer of intrigue to the story.