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Charley Hull
Charley Hull was well supported on her way to 69 in the first round of the Women’s British Open at Woburn. Photograph: Geoff Caddick/AFP/Getty Images
Charley Hull was well supported on her way to 69 in the first round of the Women’s British Open at Woburn. Photograph: Geoff Caddick/AFP/Getty Images

‘Nervous’ Charley Hull outscores world No1 at Women’s British Open

This article is more than 8 years old
Hull scores 69 on home course and New Zealander Ko a 74
First-round leader Mirim Lee shoots course record of 62

Charley Hull had never been more nervous on a golf course before teeing off in her national championship at her home club. A birdie at the first hole settled the nerves and, in front of a fine opening-day crowd willing her on, the 20-year-old was quite content with a first round of three-under-par 69 in the Women’s British Open.

Even better she was five strokes in front of one of her playing partners, Lydia Ko, the world No1 and, at 19, one of the most dominant forces in any sport, but it was a rare off day for Ko, so Hull was still some way behind Mirim Lee, of South Korea, who opened with a 62, 10 under par and a course record.

Though Hull first learnt her golf at Kettering, since moving to Woburn she has been adopted by the club members who thronged the 1st tee and many of the subsequent fairways. The venue has always been supportive of women’s professional golf, going back to the 1980s and 90s, and in addition to Ko and Hull there were plenty of players worth following as the Women’s Open returned to the Bedfordshire venue for the first time since 1999.

One was Lee, who said she did “everything perfect”, as she collected 10 birdies, including five in a row from the 7th. Another was the 15-year-old Swedish amateur Julia Engstrom, who had four birdies going out but faded with five bogeys to finish.

Perhaps the most gallant performance came from Liz Young, who may be playing her last tournament for a while. The 33-year-old from Hampshire is seven months pregnant but after a good start to the season was determined to tee up here. Though an opening 73 will leave her in a battle to make the cut on Friday, the chance to play in a major championship was not to be missed.

“I played steady golf but it was a bit of a challenge,” Young said. “It was the first time I have played 18 holes this week so it was nice to get it done.” Two birdies in the first three holes was the perfect start but there were four bogeys in the last 10 holes as she tired.

When fatigue hits her during a round Young has had to adapt from week to week on how far she hits her longer clubs. “In my second trimester I was all right after 18 holes. Then last week at the Scottish Open, and this week, the fatigue has started around the 13th hole.

“That’s all right, someone has to push me up the hills. As for my length off the tee, it is literally getting less and less each week, so I’ve added more hybrid clubs and taken out the longer irons.”

Though her priorities are about to change, Young aims to join the small band of mothers on tour next year. “I hope to come back, if everything is good, and play some events in May time,” she said. “I love the game, so I’ve got to come back to it.”

Parenthood is not yet on the agenda for the game’s young phenomenons. Ko, who last year became the youngest ever winner of a women’s major, has been first, second and third in the first three majors of this year but will have to rally on Friday after she bogeyed the last two holes.

Hull, on the other hand, kept her patience admirably having birdied the 1st and 3rd holes. She had only one bogey and birdied the last two holes to reward those who had followed her the whole way. “There are a few things I can tidy up but I’m pleased,” she said. “Honestly, the first tee shot today was probably the most nervous I’ve ever been on a golf course. I never usually get nervous so it was weird.”

Though she knows well the Marquess course in all its tree-lined splendour, Hull usually plays with her friends off the men’s tees. It is playing considerably shorter, so she had to adapt just as much as those playing it for the first time. “It’s like a completely different course,” she said.

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