AIG Women's Open: Charley Hull plays down caddie prank criticism and tells people to 'lighten up' after staying in major mix

Charley Hull remains in contention at the AIG Women's Open following a second-round 71 at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Despite sitting two under par and maintaining a strong position for the weekend, much of the talk surrounding her has involved a prank she played on her caddie, Adam Woodward.

Hull faced criticism after sharing a video where she tricked Woodward with a fake winning lottery ticket purchased at a joke shop. She addressed the backlash during her post-round interview, dismissing the negativity. Hull clarified that she and her caddie share a close, brother-sister dynamic and that the prank was well-received by Woodward himself.

She noted that Woodward, who is known for his own sense of humor, enjoyed the attention the incident brought. Hull urged spectators to move past the criticism, stating that the public reaction was unnecessary. She expressed that her friendship with Woodward is based on mutual banter and that she remains unfazed by outside opinions regarding her conduct.

Looking ahead to the weekend, Hull feels prepared to compete for the title despite a difficult night of sleep. She mentioned that her back caused some minor discomfort during play, but she remains optimistic about her performance. Having finished as a major runner-up multiple times, Hull is focused on securing her first major victory as the tournament concludes.