LPGA Star Charley Hull Reveals Unbelievable Golf Reason She Started Smoking
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
One of the few stories of the 2024 season on the LPGA Tour to rival Nelly Korda's sensational performance was Charley Hull's on-course smoking. The Englishwoman made almost more headlines for ripping some darts than for her results in professional golf.
However, a fitness role model like Hull was not destined to make smoking a part of her life for long, and she quit in early 2025. In fact, she made a much-publicized bet that she would not relapse in the first month after quitting.
The 29-year-old spoke about the topic during a recent interview for the popular No Laying Up podcast, where she revealed what led her to start smoking:
"I found the golf rounds are sometimes way too slow. So, then you kind of, like, lose your momentum, and anything I do in life, I, like, get to be fast and just on the go all the time," Hull said.
"That's one reason why I used to smoke, cuz it just used to kill a bit of time. Just, like, relax you. But then I quit about two months ago."
Charley Hull of England smokes a cigarette on the 9th tee during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open Presented by Ally at Lancaster Country Club on May 30, 2024 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Charley Hull of England smokes a cigarette on the 9th tee during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open Presented by Ally at Lancaster Country Club on May 30, 2024 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.Pace of play has long been a problem on the LPGA Tour. Recently, the organization implemented a new policy to better address the issue.
During the interview, Hull assured that she remains smoke-free, although she admitted to still using nicotine patches to curb her cravings.
Another topic the two-time LPGA Tour winner discussed was her stated goal of reducing her 5K race time to 20 minutes. She confirmed that her current record is 23 minutes and 30 seconds.
Hull also revealed the hilarious way she came up with that idea:
"My nephew can do it in like 17 minutes. And like years ago, when we were like 17, 18, we all used to go out drinking together. And he was a little chubster and so was I. And I thought, if you can now do it in 17 minutes, I should easily be able to do it in under 20 minutes. So that's where my motivation has come from."
Hull has played in just six LPGA Tour events this season, missing the cut five times. She has one top-10 finish, a tie for fourth at the HSBC Women's World Championship.
She also played in the Ladies European Tour's PIF Saudi International, where she tied for eighth.
In her seventh LPGA Tour start of the season at the Mexico Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba, Hull got off to a slow start, carding an even-par 72 in the first round. She will need a big improvement on day two to avoid missing the cut.
More Golf: Collin Morikawa's Axed Caddie Lands on Ryder Cup Hopeful's Bag at Colonial
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