AIG WOMEN'S OPEN

August 22, 2024

Charley Hull

Mixed Zone

Q. How much fun was that?

CHARLEY HULL: Yeah, it was loads of fun out there today. Actually before my round I was in there watching it on the TV when I saw the scores, and I thought, how is she 4-under par; that was an unbelievable score. I'd take that now because it was gusting a lot on the range, and I said to my coach, feels like they could call it at any minute because I don't know how the balls are staying on the greens.

To go out there, shoot 5-under, play pretty solid, it was a lot of fun.

Q. Did the conditions get easier as you guys --

CHARLEY HULL: I'd say the last three holes were a bit easier. It dropped. But making the turn it was really, really strong. It was very strong, especially when we had a hold-up on 11. It got really cold there, as well. Yeah, it did drop just the last three holes.

Q. How long did it feel like that round took?

CHARLEY HULL: It took ages. I had a bet with my caddie. I said, I reckon it'll take six and a half; he said, no way, he said, five hours 30. I was right.

Q. How did you manage to stay focused?

CHARLEY HULL: To be fair, you're playing with Nelly and Lilia, so they're two great people. Their caddies are really cool guys, as well, so it was just chilled out there. You've just got to be patient. You know what it's going to be like before the beginning of the round, so you kind of just mentally prepare for that before.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHARLEY HULL: Yes, I would take that 100 percent. I'm happy with that score, and I'm just looking forward to going out tomorrow and being patient again. I've always been patient out there, and I hit some great, great shots.

Q. The old links Charley Hull was not a links player; what do you put down to the transformation?

CHARLEY HULL: Yeah, I thank my coach for that. I've been working hard on it the last few weeks, so he's kind of got me prepared, got me working on some three-quarter shots. After the Olympics, I went to Turnberry on the Monday and played with my boyfriend there, and that was just fun. But it was kind of getting me in preparation for links golf, and I played well at the Scottish Open last week, came fifth, and just mentally starting to like it.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHARLEY HULL: Just work on three-quarters with your swing and ball position a little bit further back and then just being patient. Like sometimes it's blowing so hard off the left, it might sound silly aiming 50 yards left, but it's the right thing to do, and you've just got to trust your lines and just trust your caddie.

Q. (On the wrap she took on and off.)

CHARLEY HULL: Yeah, keeping me warm between shots, just because it's quite thick and it keeps my shoulder warm. I don't like to hit balls in it, but just walking down the fairways because that's when I feel like you can get really chilly.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHARLEY HULL: Yeah, no, I just said, hey, Ads, can you hold this.

Q. What did you do the 30-minute wait on 11?

CHARLEY HULL: I went to the toilet. I went and chatted to my best mate James. He's my (indiscernible), as well. Just had a little chat to him and then chatted to the girls and then it was time to go, so it wasn't too bad.

Q. (On playing in front of the home crowd.)

CHARLEY HULL: Yeah, 100 percent. I'm obviously on home soil, so it's great to see people out there. Got a long way to go, but I'm just going to enjoy every minute of it, and yeah, just kind of wanting to eat some food in a minute.

Q. When the World No. 1 is playing that well and you better their score, that must be a great feeling. Were you dragged along by that, the whole --

CHARLEY HULL: 100 percent. I love playing with them two girls. Nelly is an unbelievable ball striker, Lilia is a great putter. You just kind of know, even when they're making some bogeys, you think the whole field is finding this tricky, so you kind of just keep in the moment. They're two quick players, as well, so I enjoy that. But no, it's all fun.

Q. Did you put the aviators on on 18 for effect?

CHARLEY HULL: No, I wear them because my eyes when the wind is blowing -- I know it sounds silly, but my nose and my eyes just water all the time, so whenever I put my glasses on, it stops them watering. So even though it's not sunny, it may look silly, but that's the reason why. I was thinking, people must think I'm like a right idiot, but no, it's because they were stopping the wind.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHARLEY HULL: Yeah, I had 70 to the pin and 40 something over the ridge, so I thought I'd hit my half lob wedge with a bit of height and a bit of firm so I'd get a bit of spin on it, and yeah, it nearly -- I thought I holed it for a minute. It looked like it nearly went in.

Q. Who's your coach?

CHARLEY HULL: Matt Belsham. Been with him since the end of 2014.

Q. Is James the one you got the autograph for?

CHARLEY HULL: Yeah, that's James. Now he's with my sister Nicole, so yeah. Northern.