US Women's Open: Charley Hull Shows Up Lexi Thompson's Slow Play

Newsweek

3 days ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Less than 10 days ago, Charley Hull revealed that she had started smoking as a way to pass the time on the golf course. As is well known, Hull quit smoking at the beginning of the current season, but at the US Women's Open she may have found a reason to return to it.
The Englishwoman hasn't been seen smoking again at Erin Hills, but she has seemed to be very uncomfortable with the pace of play of her playing group.
It seems Charley might be frustrated with Lexi's pace of play. A couple of deep breathes and muttering something.
Oh, and this is the first hole. 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/ATTtfljdpi — Monday Q Info (@acaseofthegolf1) May 29, 2025
Hull, one of the fastest players in the world, is playing in the same group as World No. 1 Nelly Korda, another player who takes very little time to execute her shots. But the third member of the group is Lexi Thompson, who has a much, much slower pace of play than her two colleagues.
Hull appeared to be rather annoyed with Thompson's time she took on the first green. But that was just the beginning.
The 29-year-old Englishwoman was even seen sitting in one of the tee boxes, allegedly waiting for Thompson to complete her performance on the previous hole.
Charley Hull was not thrilled with the pace of play today 💀 pic.twitter.com/Rs9BVr7Vbl — Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) May 29, 2025
The LPGA Tour put in place a new pace of play policy at the beginning of the current season, which seeks to reduce playing times. Players flagged for slow play can expect penalty strokes and even fines.
The new policy began to be implemented last March, so there isn't enough data yet to evaluate its effectiveness.
Less than two weeks ago, Hull gave an interview to the popular podcast No Laying Up, in which she discussed what led her to smoke on the courses:
"I found the golf rounds are sometimes way too slow," she said. "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. That's one reason why I used to smoke, cuz it just used to kill a bit of time. Just, like, relax you."
Charley Hull of England looks on from the 11th tee during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open presented by Ally 2025 at Erin Hills Golf Course on May 29, 2025 in Erin, Wisconsin.
Charley Hull of England looks on from the 11th tee during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open presented by Ally 2025 at Erin Hills Golf Course on May 29, 2025 in Erin, Wisconsin.As you may recall, Hull announced in early 2025 that she had quit smoking. Her highly publicized $12,000 bet that she wouldn't relapse in the first month was also widely reported.
Coincidentally, around that time, the two-time LPGA Tour winner gave an exclusive interview to Newsweek in which she confirmed her success in quitting smoking.
"So far so good!" she told us back then. "I've got a good reason to stay off them as I had a bet with a friend of mine and don't want to lose."
Hull finished the first round of the U.S. Women's Open with an even-par 72, carding four bogeys and four birdies. Korda finished with the same score, thanks to a birdie and a bogey. Thompson, meanwhile, finished the round at 1-over par, with three birdies and four bogeys.
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