Charley Hull drew significant attention early on Saturday at the 2025 AIG Women’s British Open held at Royal Porthcawl in Wales, not just for her play but for a tense moment involving her competitor, Minjee Lee. During the third round, Hull’s tee shot off the fourth hole veered unexpectedly and nearly struck Lee as she was preparing to tee off on the 17th hole, creating a startling scene along Rest Bay’s coastline.
Dame Laura Davies, commentating from the booth, captured the intensity of the moment, saying,
“Nearly took Minjee out,”
—Laura Davies, commentator.
Reactions from Charley Hull and Minjee Lee After the Close Call
Following the round, both players lightened the mood by joking about the incident. When asked to describe the moment, Hull responded with disbelief, saying,
“Nearly killed Minjee?”
—Charley Hull, golfer. As Hull recounted, she shouted “fore” but hoped the ball would land on the tee box, which it narrowly did.
Minjee Lee also shared her perspective on the near miss, explaining the shot’s trajectory and her reaction:
“I’m glad it bounced big because it flew straight over me,”
—Minjee Lee, golfer, who posted a four-under par on Saturday.
She added,
“Some lady or man called out for a left, so I was like, ‘Oh, it’s not coming this way.’ But it came right over me. It was trying to take me out.”
—Minjee Lee, golfer.
Hull’s Composed Performance Following the Incident
Despite the unsettling event, Hull maintained her focus, parring the fourth hole before stringing together three consecutive birdies. Her steady and composed play under pressure reflected her experience and determination at a major championship.
Strong Finish Sees Hull Tied for Second Place
Charley Hull advanced aggressively during the final two rounds of the tournament but narrowly missed capturing the title. She finished tied for second place, two strokes behind winner Miyu Yamashita. Over the first 14 holes of the fourth round, Hull recorded five birdies without any bogeys before consecutive bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes affected her final score.
This outcome marks the fourth time Hull has ended in the runner-up position in a major championship, underscoring her consistent presence near the top of the leaderboard in women’s golf.
Significance of the Event and What Lies Ahead
The near miss shot involving Charley Hull and Minjee Lee was a dramatic highlight that temporarily shifted the focus from scoring to safety on the course, reminding spectators and players alike of the unpredictability of golf. Hull’s ability to regain composure quickly and finish near the top indicates a strong competitive spirit that will be crucial going forward in her career. With Miyu Yamashita claiming the championship, future tournaments are poised to feature intense rivalries among these leading women golfers.