Ozzie gives Charley fighting spirit
Hull targets British Open at her Woburn home
CHARLEY HULL has trimmed down her physique and sharpened up her mental approach — and it’s all down to her fiance, the MMA super welterweight champion, Ozzie Smith.
The last time the AIG Women’s British Open was staged at her home course of Woburn three years ago, Hull was a fairly scatty creature who had still to shed her lining of teenage puppy fat.
Now, at 23, she’s the epitome of a modern athlete, having lost more than 20lb, and determined to demonstrate just how much she has grown up. ‘I think I’m a different player now, and there’s no question that Ozzie has been a huge help,’ she says. ‘He’s helped me address issues with my game. He’s quite strict with me and makes sure that when I go to the gym I don’t just go along and get distracted. If I’m practising my short game, he makes sure that I have a plan and don’t get too wrapped up in it.
‘I’ve lost 10kg through a combination of diet and exercise and I feel a lot healthier and sharper. I used to suffer badly from jetlag but now I get over it much more quickly, which is a huge plus.
‘Mentally, it was strange at the start for Ozzie coming into my world where, if you have a bad week, there’s always another tournament the following week. In his world you train for one fight and you put absolutely everything into it.
‘And being introduced to his world has helped me with mine, learning to focus and put more into each and every week. He talks about how he goes into the ring believing in himself so much that he knows he isn’t going to lose, and how I must believe in myself every time I go on to the course.’
Hull finished tied 17th at Woburn in 2016, where her hopes were derailed after a poor start to her third round. Another thing that should help this time and aid her bid to claim a first major is the wonderful progress of two former England amateur t eam- mates, defending champion Georgia Hall and Bronte Law, who achieved her breakthrough victory in America earlier in the season.
‘Three years ago, it did feel like the spotlight was all on me and it did make me nervous,’ admits Hull. ‘ Now we’ve got the defending champion from England, who’s a big friend of mine, and Bronte has also done fantastically well.
‘Georgia’s brilliant victory only helped me to realise how much I want to win the tournament myself one day. And it can only help when you’ve seen players you’ve grown up alongside do well and win tournaments. We’ve seen it in the men’s game where players from one country push one another.’
Hull began the season with a victory of her own in Abu Dhabi and had four top- 16 finishes in nine events in America before her attention switched to Europe.
A naturally friendly soul, she felt she got caught up in the atmosphere in the clubhouse three years ago, talking to other members and friends. Again, following some more insightful words from Smith, it will be a more business- like approach this time.
‘There’s no question that hanging around can be draining and make it more difficult to achieve your goal,’ said Hull. ‘ This time I’ll stay at home for the first half of the week and just come to the course for the tournament. I want to stay more focused this time.’
An Open played on her home course marks the start of a momentous three months for Hull, who will represent Europe at the Solheim Cup at Gleneagles in September prior t o her and Ozzie’s wedding.
‘ Of course, getting married is going to make the year special, whatever happens, but there’s a couple of important dates coming up that I’d like to concentrate on before I turn my attention to the wedding,’ she said.
Lest we think the girl who’s been a fixture of the British golf scene since the age of 14 is all business these days and has shed all of the old Charley, it should be pointed out that her own personal car park space that she’s had at Woburn since reaching the legitimate driving age of 17 will remain unfilled.
‘I’ve not tried to pass my test for years,’ she said breezily. ‘I had a driving instructor who thought he was funny when he was teaching me and he definitely wasn’t, so we didn’t get on and I haven’t had another go since then.’
Another one for the multi-tasking Ozzie, by the sound of things — and a man who’s just received the ultimate seal of approval.
‘My dad is very happy that he’s in my life,’ said Hull. ‘He feels like he’s done a very good job with me.’