Charley Hull demonstrated remarkable resilience after battling a post‑Solheim Cup illness, turning a challenging start to the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship into a near‑contender performance. The English golfer, who had not played a competitive round since helping Team Europe secure a 15‑13 victory over the United States in the Solheim Cup held in the Netherlands, arrived at Pinnacle Country Club with limited preparation but quickly showed why she remains a force on the LPGA Tour. In her opening round, Hull posted a 65, a score that combined seven birdies with just a single bogey. The round placed her tied for third at six under par, trailing only Japan's Yuna Nishimura, who set the early benchmark, and a small group of players clustered around the same score.
Hull later revealed that she had been suffering from tonsillitis throughout the Solheim Cup, a condition that forced her to miss several days of practice and left her bedridden for nearly a week. Despite the setback, she managed to travel to the United States on short notice, arriving on a Tuesday night after a series of sponsor commitments. "I felt like I played pretty solid," Hull said after completing her round.
"It was quite weird – last week at home I didn't hit a golf ball for like five days because I was bed‑bound and I was so poorly. After the Solheim Cup I had the flu, I had sickness and everything.
I nearly pulled out of this week because I felt like I wasn't prepared enough! I came over to America on Saturday, had sponsor stuff up until Tuesday and got in here late Tuesday night.
It wasn't really the best prep, but actually I come in here with no expectations. I felt like I hit it pretty well tee‑to‑green and putted decent." Hull's round was a study in recovery and strategic play. Although she missed birdie opportunities on two of the three par‑five holes, she quickly rebounded after an early over‑par stretch.
From the 13th hole onward, she recorded three birdies over a five‑hole span, then added another four birdies in a six‑hole burst after the turn, showcasing her ability to capitalize on momentum when it arrived. The tournament's leaderboard remained tightly packed. A dramatic final‑hole eagle by Nishimura gave her a one‑stroke edge over China's Yu Liu, who had held the clubhouse lead after posting a flawless 64.
Hull found herself in the same six‑under cluster as her Solheim Cup teammate Celine Boutier, while England's Jodi Ewart Shadoff briefly threatened to take the lead before two late bogeys dropped her to a five‑under 66. Fellow English players Lottie Woad and Caley McGinty also hovered three strokes behind the leaders, emphasizing the depth of talent from the United Kingdom.
Woad explained her approach to the first three rounds, noting the importance of a strong start: "With it only being three rounds, you want to get off to a good start and try and not drop too many shots. If you hit a lot of greens like I did today then you're not going to make too many bogeys." Her sentiment was echoed by other competitors who emphasized precision over power, especially on a course that rewards accurate ball‑striking and strategic putting. Other notable performances included Mimi Rhodes, who opened with a four‑under 67, and Chiara Tamburlini, a player who narrowly missed Solheim Cup qualification but began the tournament four strokes behind the leaders.
Their solid starts add further intrigue to a field that promises plenty of movement over the remaining rounds. The Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, part of the LPGA Tour's early‑season swing, continues to attract attention not only for its competitive field but also for its role in shaping the narrative heading into major championships later in the year. Fans can follow live coverage on Sky Sports+ starting Saturday at 9 p.m., with additional streaming options available without a contract. For those interested in experiencing the course firsthand, Sky Sports offers discounted rates and booking options for over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland.
Hull's performance, given the circumstances, underscores a broader theme in professional golf: the ability to adapt and thrive despite physical setbacks and limited preparation. Her candid remarks about nearly withdrawing highlight the mental toughness required to compete at the highest level, while her scorecard demonstrates that skill and determination can overcome even the most challenging of obstacles. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether Hull can maintain her momentum and possibly contend for the title, adding another chapter to her already impressive career.