The English golfer dismissed criticism of the joke involving her long-time caddie, while Atthaya Thitikul produced a record-setting opening round at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
Charley Hull has never been especially interested in presenting a carefully polished public image, and the opening day of the Women’s Open offered another reminder of that.
The English golfer arrived at Royal Lytham & St Annes facing questions not only about her chances of winning a first major title, but also about a practical joke that divided opinion before the tournament had even begun.
Hull had purchased a fake scratchcard from a joke shop in Blackpool and handed it to her long-time caddie, Adam Woodward. The card appeared to show that he had won £100,000, prompting a moment of genuine excitement before Hull revealed that the prize did not exist.
The episode was recorded, capturing Woodward’s rapid journey from celebration to disappointment. Some viewers regarded it as harmless fun between two people who have spent years working and travelling together. Others believed the joke crossed a line by briefly convincing someone that their life had changed financially.
Hull refuses to retreat
After beginning her Women’s Open campaign with a two-under-par 69, Hull showed no desire to apologise or soften her position.
She argued that the reaction had been disproportionate and suggested that those angered by the prank were taking it far more seriously than Woodward himself. According to Hull, her caddie was able to laugh about the incident once the initial shock had passed.
Hull also made it clear that criticism circulating online was unlikely to disturb her preparation. During tournament weeks, she removes social media apps from her phone so she can avoid notifications, comments and the constant distraction of being discussed by strangers.
That approach reflects a broader philosophy that has made Hull one of the most recognisable figures in women’s golf. She plays quickly, speaks directly and rarely appears concerned with giving the most diplomatic answer available. Her personality has attracted a large following, but it also means that moments intended as private humour can generate very public arguments.
Hull even suggested that she would happily take part in a similar prank again. She did, however, acknowledge feeling some sympathy for Woodward and promised to compensate him in a characteristically unconventional way by buying him 100 genuine scratchcards after the tournament.
A joke that raises a bigger question
The disagreement surrounding the video illustrates the difficulty athletes face when sharing informal moments online. A joke between close colleagues may feel completely different when viewed by millions of people who know nothing about their relationship.
Hull and Woodward have worked together through much of her professional career, building the kind of trust required in one of golf’s most demanding partnerships. A caddie is responsible for far more than carrying clubs, often acting as strategist, adviser and emotional anchor during difficult rounds.
For Hull, that history appears to make the prank acceptable. For some observers, the size of the imaginary prize made the deception uncomfortable regardless of how well the two know each other.
The debate is unlikely to produce a universal verdict. What is clear is that Hull has no intention of changing her personality to satisfy every reaction on social media. Her priority now is ensuring that the controversy remains a sideshow rather than the defining story of her week.
Thitikul sets the early standard
On the course, Hull’s 69 represented a solid beginning, but it left her five shots behind Thailand’s Atthaya “Jeeno” Thitikul.
Thitikul delivered the performance of the opening round with a seven-under-par 64, the lowest score recorded in a Women’s Open staged at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
The 23-year-old has already established herself as one of the most reliable major performers of her generation. Since 2021, she has collected 11 top-10 finishes in the sport’s biggest championships, yet a first major victory has continued to escape her.
Lytham could provide an appropriate setting for that breakthrough. Thitikul was the leading amateur when the tournament was played at the same venue in 2018, achieving the distinction at only 15 years old.
Her opening 64 demonstrated how much she has developed since then. On a course protected by narrow landing areas and 174 punishing bunkers, Thitikul combined accuracy with enough aggression to separate herself from much of the field.
Ryu chasing a historic major hat-trick
Ryu Hae-ran remains firmly in contention after opening with a five-under-par 66, a score later matched by Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki.
The South Korean arrived in England carrying an extraordinary opportunity. Having already won the PGA and Evian Championships in 2026, she is attempting to become only the fifth female golfer to capture three consecutive majors.
Her preparation has been unusual because she has not competed in any regular tour events between those major appearances. That limited schedule has done little to reduce her sharpness.
Ryu carded six birdies during her first round and reached the turn in 31, once again relying on the precise iron play that has long been one of her greatest strengths. Improved putting has transformed that technical consistency into major-winning results this season.
Despite the historic possibility in front of her, Ryu insisted that she was not allowing herself to think about a third successive title. Links golf can change rapidly, particularly if the wind strengthens, and she stressed the importance of remaining patient over the remaining 54 holes.
Woad keeps English hopes alive
Lottie Woad joined Hull on two under and strengthened the possibility of an English winner eight years after Georgia Hall lifted the trophy at Lytham.
Woad’s rise has been remarkably quick. Little more than a year after turning professional, she has climbed to fifth in the world rankings and already looks comfortable among the leading players in the game.
Her opening 69 was built around an aggressive strategy from the tee. Rather than repeatedly laying back to avoid trouble, Woad trusted one of the strongest parts of her game and used her driver whenever she believed the potential reward justified the danger.
The plan worked particularly well on the par fives, which are among the limited scoring opportunities available at Lytham. Most importantly, Woad completed the round without visiting any of the course’s notoriously difficult bunkers.
Korda and Lee left with ground to recover
Several prominent contenders experienced more difficult starts.
Former champion Minjee Lee briefly threatened to build momentum after making a birdie at the first hole and an eagle at the sixth. Her round deteriorated later, however, and she eventually signed for a four-over-par 75.
Sophia Popov endured an even harsher opening day with an 85, while Nelly Korda finished two over after a 73. Korda remains close enough to recover, but she will need to create more birdie chances if she is to challenge Thitikul’s early advantage.
Lydia Ko ended the day at level par, alongside English players Mimi Rhodes and Annabell Fuller, who both recorded rounds of 71.
Hull has more than one point to prove
Hull’s opening score keeps her within reach, even if the leaderboard already has a clear early pace-setter. The Englishwoman has repeatedly gone close in major championships without converting those opportunities into victory, and another demanding test now lies ahead.
Her refusal to apologise for the scratchcard prank will ensure that attention follows her beyond the ropes. The more important question, however, is whether she can produce the golf needed to make the discussion irrelevant.
If Hull moves into contention over the weekend, the fake £100,000 prize may quickly become little more than an unusual footnote. A genuine major trophy would provide a far more valuable ending to the story.
