British golfer Charley Hull has spoken out about her poor start to the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 28-year-old, who went viral for smoking a cigarette earlier this year, was not using the smoking ban as an excuse after shooting a nine-over-par 81 in the first round of women’s play on Wednesday.
“Definitely not,” Hull told reporters, according to USA Today, when asked if the cigarette ban contributed to his disastrous first round.
“It’s because I got injured,” he clarified.
The Briton recently suffered a shoulder injury when she fell while leaving the shower and as a result her game has become “rusty”.
British golfer Charley Hull has spoken out about her poor start to the 2024 Paris Olympics
“It’s because I got hurt,” he said, noting that it had nothing to do with the smoking ban.
Speaking to the media earlier this week, she said smoking “relaxes” her and predicted it could affect her game.
“But it is what it is,” he said at the time.
Hull also spoke to Mail Sport about his return to the Olympics, after retiring from the Games delayed by the pandemic in 2021, admitting that it was the restrictions of the bubble that ultimately forced her to make a decision.
“It was the right thing to do at the time, but I’m even more excited about Paris because Rio happened so long ago,” he told us this week.
The two-time LPGA winner will play at the former Ryder Cup course, Le Golf National, from August 7-10, alongside close friend and fellow British star Georgia Hall.
While Paris marks Hull’s second Olympics, Hall will be making her debut and the best friends couldn’t be more excited to compete together.
Hull will represent Team GB on the Olympic stage in Paris, after competing at Rio 2016
Hull will play at Le Golf National with her close friend and fellow British star, Georgia Hall
“We’ve known each other since we were 11 and grew up practicing together. It’s perfect to be able to play with my best friend,” Hull explained.
“Being able to participate in the Olympic Games is a dream come true. I’m excited about it and also about meeting new athletes that I might not have had the opportunity to meet.”
In May, Hull She was photographed signing autographs with a lit cigarette in her mouth at the Lancaster Country Club, drawing comparisons to John Daly.
“It’s actually quite funny,” he told reporters after the photo went viral.
“I don’t know, I guess it was all for a cigarette, but the truth is I was walking to the shooting range and I had my hands full. Someone asked me for an autograph and I’m not going to say no because I always like to sign autographs for them.”
