Rolex Rankings No.9 Charley Hull says that she is managing her expectations at this week’s Amundi Evian Championship as she looks to move on from the disappointment of having to withdraw from the Aramco Team Series Presented by PIF – London with a shoulder injury last week.
The six-time professional tournament winner achieved her career-best finish of tied third in this championship two years ago and is still looking for her first Major title.
However, despite having finished T23rd, T19th and T16th in the first three Majors of the year, the Chevron Championship, the US Women’s Open presented by Ally and the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship respectively, she is not keen to set a target for this week’s Major.
“My coach, Matt Belsham, told me not to have very high expectations coming into this week, so I’m just going to go out and have fun,” said Hull, who is set to return to France to represent Team GB in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games next month.
“I fell over last week and had to pull out of the Aramco. I’m still a bit stiff. I haven’t hit a golf ball all week and yesterday was the first time I hit a golf ball. I don’t feel very prepared coming into this week, so it’s frustrating me a little bit, but I’ve been doing some good work in the last eight hours since I’ve been here, so my body’s still feeling a bit sore but I’m getting there. I’m just taking it slowly.”
She explained that she slipped on a wet floor getting out of the shower at the Dow Championship, but a week and a half on, it may be a case of “beware of the injured golfer”.
The Amundi Evian Championship tees off tomorrow and the 28-year-old from Kettering, England, added: “I’m looking forward to it. I really like this place; it’s really pretty with beautiful views. I love this week because it’s near home, with good views and we get loads of Evian water!”
Hull has three runner-up finishes in Majors, with one in each of the AIG Women’s Open, the US Women’s Open and the Chevron Championship. With the Amundi Evian Championship and the AIG Women’s Open still to be played in 2024, she will have two more chances to shine in the Majors this summer – as well as in the Olympic Games at Le Golf National next month.
Main image: Mark Runnacles/LET