Charley Hull went viral at the U.S. Women’s Open earlier this year when she was filmed smoking a cigarette while signing autographs.
At this week’s Paris Olympics, Hull was asked if she smoked when competing inside the ropes.
“I do smoke on the course,” Hull replied. “It’s a habit, but I won’t do this week.”
Why? Because smoking isn’t permitted at Le Golf National or any other Olympic venue.
That might actually have an impact on Hull. Smoking, the 28-year-old Englishwoman noted, helps relax her.
“But it is what it is,” she said.
Charley Hull of Team Great Britain tees off on the fourth hole during a practice round ahead of the Women’s Individual Stroke Play on day eleven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Le Golf National on August 06, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Hull makes her second Olympic start this week alongside good friend Georgia Hall of Great Britain. Hull also competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics but skipped 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Currently No. 11 in the world, the two-time LPGA winner and Solheim star arrived in France on Monday evening and said her friends caught her up on Tommy Fleetwood’s silver medal performance. She played her first practice round at Le Golf National on Tuesday.
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“I’d like to go to the boxing,” said Hull of her plans outside of golf this week. “Anything, really … hopefully in the evening, it would be pretty cool.”
Earlier this summer at the U.S. Women’s Open, Hull said she only picked up smoking because she wanted to stop vaping. Not that vaping is any better for her, but she can’t smoke a cigarette indoors.
“When it’s a slow round on the golf course,” she said, “I smoke quite a few more than I should.”
She promised to stop soon, but likely didn’t anticipate the Olympics helping that effort.