AIG Women's Open: Charley Hull plays down chances of success at final major of 2025

Charley Hull didn't exactly sound optimistic when she assessed her chances ahead of the AIG Women's Open. 

Hull, 29, arrives at Royal Porthcawl in Wales after a tough few weeks on and off the golf course. 

The European Solheim Cup star was forced to withdraw from the Evian Championship in France earlier in the month after collapsing twice. 

Hull went into that major battling a virus and, despite a spirited effort, was only able to complete 12 holes before she was whisked off by a team of medics. 

She made a quick recovery but, adding to Hull's frustrations, she tweaked her back lifting a box out of her car two weeks ago. 

It has resulted in Hull, a self-confessed fitness freak, not being able to get back into the gym yet. 

"On Sunday I pretty much felt back to normal," Hull said. 

She added: "I did a run yesterday, but the week before I hurt my back lifting a box out of my car, and then my back's been really playing up and I've not been hitting it as well because I've not been able to go to the gym and do my rehab exercises.

"I’m not hitting it the best coming into this week which is very frustrating because it's an event I've been looking forward to playing all year. I've just got to go out there with what I've got."

Hull, unsurprisingly, attracted huge crowds in her practice rounds earlier in the week. 

But most of the attention has been on 21-year-old Lottie Woad. 

The youngster has been priced at a stingy 6/1 by the bookmakers. 

Woad arrives having been crowned the Scottish Open winner a week ago. 

She also won the Irish Open and finished third at the Evian Championship last month. 

It is a testament to her ability that the defending champion, Lydia Ko, said in her news conference that she plans to ask the youngster for some swing tips when they play together on Thursday. 

Hull said: "I think what Lottie Woad has done is absolutely unbelievable. She's a breath of fresh air for the game."

For her part, Woad said she hasn't truly reflected on her recent successes just yet. 

"I've really been just enjoying myself," she said. 

"Enjoyed being in these events and competing and being in contention, just try to have fun with it and not add too much stress really."

Of her chances, Woad said: "I know what I need to do to perform well and there are always areas you need to tie up on and maintain. 

"So just having good prep and, I mean, knowing that you can't expect to play well all the time - especially on a tough course out here."