English golfer Charley Hull is confronting significant hurdles as she prepares for the 2025 AIG Women’s Open, following health issues that have affected her training and performance. After collapsing twice during the first round of the Evian Championship earlier this month, Hull has experienced a steep decline in both her swing speed and physical condition, raising concerns about her readiness at Royal Porthcawl.
Health Setbacks Impact Hull’s Physical Condition and Performance
The 29-year-old experienced frightening episodes at the Evian Championship, which she later described in detail, leading to a missed opportunity to fully prepare for one of the season’s most important tournaments. Since that incident, Hull has struggled with multiple health problems, including an injury to her back sustained while lifting a box and ongoing physical discomfort that has limited her ability to follow her usual training regimen.
Hull revealed she has lost approximately four kilograms since the Evian incident and noted a drop in her swing speed by around eight miles per hour, which has directly affected her driving distance. This reduction is particularly significant because Hull’s game heavily relies on distance off the tee, where she was previously averaging just under 272 yards in 2025, ranking her 28th on the LPGA Tour.
Recent Competitive Play and Training Challenges
Despite these setbacks, Hull managed to secure four days of competitive play last week, finishing tied for 21st at the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open. However, she has struggled to rebuild strength and confidence due to pain and limited gym access. Hull outlined the challenging nature of trying to maintain fitness, especially after aggravating her back, which prevented regular sessions at the gym and forced her to modify her running and rehabilitation exercises.
Thinking back now, I used to do quite a lot of exercising. I think in three weeks I’ve lost four kgs, which is quite a lot of weight.
—Charley Hull, Golfer
Her physical difficulties have hindered her ability to hit the ball as far as usual, diminishing her familiar firepower off the tee heading into the Open. She expressed frustration about not being at her best, especially since this event has been a highlight on her calendar for the year.
I’m not hitting it the best coming into this week, which is very frustrating because it’s an event I’ve been looking forward to playing all year,
said Hull.
I’ve just got to go out there with what I’ve got. I feel like I’ve lost a bit of distance where I’ve been poorly lately and not really been to the gym, so my swing speed is down probably about eight miles an hour.
—Charley Hull, Golfer
At the end it’s just a game of golf and you’ve got to go out there and have fun. I’m not going to let it beat me up too much. Yeah, apart from that, I feel pretty good.
—Charley Hull, Golfer
Adapting Expectations While Staying Determined
Given her truncated preparation timeline, Hull has lowered expectations for her performance but remains adamant about delivering her best effort from the outset. She recognizes the importance of regaining confidence early in the tournament to fuel her momentum.
Hull acknowledged the frustration caused by her injury but stressed her commitment to moving forward positively, hoping that recent practice will help her performance.
She shared,
It annoys me because it’s such an important part this time of the season, and it’s something I look forward to all year. And it’s just like, damn it. At the end of the day, just get me making a few birdies to start with and I think I’ll get my confidence back straightaway.
But I understand what you mean, ‘beware of the injured golfer’ and stuff, but I’m feeling good now. Hopefully all the practice I’ve done the last two days is going to make a difference.
—Charley Hull, Golfer
Past Performance and Course Preferences Affect Outlook at Royal Porthcawl
Hull is ranked World No. 20 and holds a mixed record at the AIG Women’s Open, which might temper expectations compared to competitors like Lottie Woad and Nelly Korda, who are seen as stronger favorites this week. Among Hull’s 12 Open appearances, she has five missed cuts but also a notable runner-up finish in 2023 at Walton Heath behind Lilia Vu.
Interestingly, Hull finds links-style courses more challenging visually and technically, contrasting them with heathland courses such as Walton Heath or Woburn, which she believes better suit her game. She has openly discussed the intimidation factor links courses present to her, which adds another layer to the hurdles she faces at Royal Porthcawl.
On the nature of courses, Hull remarked,
We played Sahalee, which is one of the tightest golf courses in the world at KPMG, and everyone was saying how tight it is, but I looked at it and thought it was the worst golf course in the world because of the tree lines, you know what I mean? I think it’s a visual thing with me.
Her openness about the mental aspect of course visuals reveals how much her preparation extends beyond physical readiness.
Starting Group and Competition Outlook at the AIG Women’s Open
Hull will begin her campaign at the AIG Women’s Open at 8:31 a.m. BST on Thursday. She is paired with Jeeno Thitikul, who has an opportunity to become World No. 1 this week, and Minjee Lee, an accomplished Australian golfer with three major championships. This grouping highlights the competitive field she faces as she aims to make an impact despite recent setbacks.
Hull’s determination to compete under difficult circumstances showcases her resilience and passion for the game, qualities that will be tested at Royal Porthcawl as she pursues her first major championship.