Charley Hull expressed optimism about her form this season, yet she openly acknowledged that lingering injuries have kept her from reaching her full potential. The 30-year-old English golfer has enjoyed a relatively successful 2026 campaign, securing a top‑10 finish in three of the five women’s major championships and capturing the season‑opening Ladies European Tour title at the PIF Saudi Ladies International in February. Despite these achievements, Hull, who is set to compete in her eighth straight Solheim Cup later this September, described her year to Sky Sports as "hit and miss" because of physical setbacks.
"There have been weeks when I’ve played some really good golf, and other weeks when I just haven’t shown up," Hull explained ahead of the PIF London Championship, which was being broadcast live on Sky Sports. "A lot of that inconsistency comes down to the injuries I’m dealing with. It’s difficult to get my swing exactly where I want it, and I often feel unusually stiff during practice and competition." Hull’s injury history dates back to July 2025, when she suffered a back strain that lingered into the following months. In August of the same year she aggravated the situation by injuring a ligament in her ankle, and she has been managing both problems ever since.
"My back is a bit sore today, actually," she said, noting that a demanding tournament schedule can exacerbate the discomfort. "When you have a long week, it definitely has an impact on how you feel on the course." The Englishwoman’s recent performance at the AIG Women’s Open illustrated both her resilience and the challenges she faces. Heading into the final round she was only five shots off the lead, a position that placed her firmly in contention.
On the front nine she recorded three birdies, two double‑bogeys and a single bogey, a mixed bag that highlighted the volatility of her play. After the turn she created several birdie opportunities but was unable to close the gap on the leaders, ultimately finishing tied for sixth.
Hull was candid about the factors that held her back. "I didn’t putt very well at all," she admitted. "Two double‑bogeys in the final round and a bogey on the eighth really cost me. I gave myself birdie chances on every hole on the back nine, but I just couldn’t convert them.
I just didn’t get my putter going, and the pressure of trying to win my first major on home soil was immense. It was a draining experience, which is why I feel so exhausted now." Despite the disappointment, Hull emphasized the positive aspects of the week. She was buoyed by the massive support from the crowd at Royal Lytham & St Annes, where thousands of fans cheered her on. "It’s an intense week for me, but I tried to sign pretty much every autograph because without the fans there wouldn’t be a golf event.
You always have to give back," she said. "Seeing people shout my name and watching younger fans look up to me is incredibly rewarding. It’s a lot of pressure, but it’s also very cool.
I hope that some of those kids will be playing the AIG Women’s Open themselves in ten years." Looking ahead, Hull will tee off alongside Patty Tavatanakit and Alison Lee at the Centurion Club on Thursday at 8:14 a.m., aiming to add another title to her resume at the PIF London Championship. The tournament will be covered live on Sky Sports Golf, with the first two rounds airing at 2 p.m.
on Thursday and Friday, and the final two rounds broadcast from 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Hull’s situation underscores a broader theme in professional sport: the fine line athletes walk between peak performance and physical limitation. While her 2026 season has produced commendable results, the recurring back and ankle issues have introduced an element of unpredictability to her game.
Fans and commentators alike are hopeful that with proper management and perhaps a period of rest, Hull can regain the consistency that has made her a perennial contender on the Ladies European Tour and a key figure for Europe in the Solheim Cup. In the meantime, Hull remains committed to her craft, using each tournament as an opportunity to test her recovery strategies and refine her technique. "I’m managing it quite well," she said, acknowledging the stiffness she feels each week but also expressing confidence in her ability to adapt. "I’m looking forward to playing the best golf I can, and I hope the fans continue to support me as they have." As the PIF London Championship unfolds, all eyes will be on Hull to see whether she can translate her optimism into a victory, despite the physical hurdles that have marked her season.
Her journey serves as a reminder of the resilience required at the highest levels of golf, and her determination continues to inspire both seasoned followers of the sport and the next generation of aspiring golfers.