Charley Hull's journey to the HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore was anything but ordinary. Originally set to depart on Saturday, Hull found herself in a hospital in England instead.
While she kept the details under wraps, she assured Golf Channel's Tom Abbott that she's "feeling a lot better now." Arriving in Singapore by Tuesday, Hull was ready to compete.
Her start at Sentosa Golf Club was steady, opening with an even-par 72. But Hull turned up the heat on Friday, carding a brilliant 67 to climb into a share of 11th place. She's just four strokes behind leader Auston Kim as the weekend approaches.
Reflecting on her decision to play, Hull admitted to Abbott, "I probably shouldn't have come here, to be honest, but I really wanted to play. I would have had four or five weeks off after I'd won if I didn't play this week, so I kind of wanted to just come out and play anyway."
Hull's determination follows her recent triumph at the PIF Saudi Ladies International, which catapulted her to No. 3 in the world rankings, her highest position yet. While she's skipping the upcoming events in China and California, Hull is set to compete in the Ford Championship in Arizona, starting March 26.
Singapore holds memorable moments for Hull. Last year, despite a challenging day that included vomiting before the third round and setting a personal-best 5K run, she shot a flawless 68, finishing just a shot behind Lydia Ko and ultimately tying for fourth. Her passion for running hit a snag last year when a fall at the Centurion Club sidelined her briefly.
Hull's consistency is undeniable, with a streak of top-20 finishes in her last eight starts worldwide since August, including five top-5 finishes and two victories. Her resilience and competitive spirit continue to make her a formidable presence on the tour.