Charley Hull’s golfing journey began at a very young age. Born in Kettering, England in 1996, she was introduced to the sport by her father at just two years old, picking up a club at Kettering Golf Club. By 13, she transitioned to homeschooling to allow for a more focused pursuit of the sport, competing in amateur tournaments. This dedication paid off; she turned professional at 16 and holds the record as the youngest golfer to ever participate in the Solheim Cup at 17.
Early signs of talent were evident at 9 when she won a major amateur event against adults. A string of wins in tournaments across the United States and Great Britain followed this victory. Her world ranking reflected her dominance, which soared to number three amongst amateur golfers globally. Hull also gained valuable experience by competing alongside professionals. She played in the British Open Pro-Am with Morgan Pressel at 10. Hull was also later selected for the Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup team at 15, where she contributed to their team victory despite facing initial setbacks in her matches.
Hull turned professional in March 2013. She had a remarkable string of five consecutive second-place finishes on the Ladies European Tour (LET). This impressive run, spanning tournaments like the Lalla Meryem Cup and the Deloitte Ladies Open, established her as a rising player.
Hull was awarded the prestigious 2013 LET Rookie of the Year award. The Sports Journalists Association voted her the Best International Newcomer and presented her with the Peter Wilson Trophy. Although she fell short to swimmer Josef Craig, her nomination for the BBC’s Young Sports Personality of the Year solidified her rankings.
In August 2013, she made history by becoming the youngest player to participate in the Solheim Cup, a prestigious team event pitting Europe against the United States. The European team emerged victorious with a score of 18-10, and Hull contributed significantly, securing two points, including a dominant singles victory over Paula Creamer.
Just shy of her 18th birthday in 2014, Hull secured her first professional title at the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco. In a thrilling display, she overcame a five-shot deficit to the leader, Gwladys Nocera, by carding a bogey-free round of 62 and emerged victorious with a birdie on the first extra hole.
Hull continued her dominance on the LET, becoming the youngest player to win the Tour’s Order of Merit in 2014.
In 2015, Hull transitioned to the prestigious LPGA Tour. Her impressive performances on the LET secured her a higher priority ranking, allowing her to compete full-time on the world’s biggest stage. While her focus shifted primarily to the LPGA Tour, she continued to make sporadic appearances on the LET.
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