Injured Hull eye on first major

Britain’s Charley Hull will have to overcome a recurring wrist injury if she is to go one better than last year and win her firstmajor title in the ANA Inspiration.

Hull finished second to Lydia Ko at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California last year, the world number one making a birdie on the 72nd hole to win by a shot. Ko missed only her second cut in 95 LPGA events in last week’s Kia Classic, where Hull was unable to play after aggravating her wrist when hitting a shot out of the rough.

“It’s like a chip out of the bone and I inflamed it,” the 21-year-old said. “I should be fine to play this week. I’ll sleep with it strapped and do everything, except play golf, with it strapped.”

Ko’s form is under the spotlight after she changed her caddie, coach and equipment at the end of last year, with her position on top of the rankings under threat after eight months without a win.

If world number two Ariya Jutanugarn wins this week, Ko’s run at number one will end after 75 consecutive weeks. Jutanugarn was two shots clear with three holes to play 12 months ago but bogeyed the last three holes.

“There is pressure because I’m the number one ranked player, I should play awesome weekin, weekout and try to win every week,” said Ko. “But if I were second every week, I think I’d probably be the number one ranked player anyway.

“I think that’s the big thing – it’s more about consistency and how many times I can put myself in contention and then sometimes being able to pull it off.”

Catriona Matthew, the only Scot in the field, tees off alongside South Korean Sei Young Kim.

Charley Hull: Wants to win the ANA Inspiration