England’s Charley Hull has moved within two strokes of the early lead at the LPGA Tour’s Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, overcoming a bout of illness following her participation in the recent Solheim Cup.
Hull, competing in her first event since helping Team Europe secure a 15-13 victory over the United States in the Netherlands, delivered aOpening Round 65 at Pinnacle Country Club. Her round featured seven birdies and a single bogey, leaving her tied for third place at six under par.
The English professional revealed after her round that she had been diagnosed with tonsillitis during Europe’s winning campaign. She admitted that her preparation was far from ideal, having been bedbound at home just days prior and arriving in America only on Saturday.
“I felt like I played pretty solid,” Hull said. “It was quite weird, last week at home I didn’t hit a golf ball for like five days because I was bed-bound and I was so poorly.”
She continued: “After the Solheim Cup I had the flu, I had sickness and everything. I nearly pulled out of this week because I felt like I wasn’t prepared enough! I came over to America on Saturday, had sponsor stuff up until Tuesday and got in here late Tuesday night.”
Despite the disrupted routine, Hull produced a strong finish to her front nine, recording three birdies across a five-hole stretch starting at the 13th, before adding four more on the back nine.
Japan’s Yuna Nishimura set the early pace, eventually building a one-shot advantage over China’s Yu Liu. Liu had held the initial clubhouse lead after shooting a bogey-free 64, but a final-hole eagle by Nishimura pushed her to five under.
Hull shares the third-place position with fellow Solheim Cup participant Celine Boutier. England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff also made a late charge, posting a five-under 66 before collapsing with two bogeys on her final three holes.
Compatriots Lottie Woad and Caley McGinty trail by three shots, while Mimi Rhodes and Chiara Tamburlini opened with four-under 67s to sit four strokes back.
Live coverage of the championship continues on Saturday from 9pm on Sky Sports+.
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