Charley Hull hits back after fans accuse her of going too far with caddie prank

Charley Hull has hit back at the social media backlash surrounding her viral prank on long-time caddie Adam Woodward, insisting she has absolutely no regrets about the joke.

Hull tricked Woodward into believing he had won £100,000 on a lottery scratch card in the build-up to the AIG Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

The Englishwoman had bought the scratch card from a prank shop in Blackpool and watched as her caddie discovered what appeared to be a life-changing win.

It was only later that Woodward was told the ticket was fake.

The prank quickly went viral on social media, although much of the reaction was far from positive.

A number of fans accused Hull of going too far, with heavy criticism focusing on the fact that Woodward not only carries her bag for a living but has also worked for her for more than a decade.

Here's what happened: 

Here was her caddie's reaction: 

Hull, who regularly deletes social media from her phone during major championship weeks, said she was unaware of the extent of the backlash.

But when asked whether she would do the prank again if given the chance, the 30-year-old did not hesitate.

“Yeah, 100%,” Hull said.

The World No.7 insisted Woodward ultimately found the joke funny and suggested those who were offended needed to take a more relaxed approach.

“He thought it was funny after. He’s not uptight, like, it’s a joke,” Hull said.

“If people don’t like it, they can lump it, do you know what I mean?

“I felt bad for Adsy, but at the end day, I’ve just got to have a good week and at the end of the week, I’ll buy him 100 scratch cards.”

Hull also joked that Woodward could make considerably more than £100,000 if they enjoyed a successful week at Royal Lytham.

There is certainly plenty at stake, with the AIG Women’s British Open offering a $10 million purse and a $1.5 million winner’s cheque.

Watch what Hull had to say here: 

Hull’s caddie already plotting revenge

Woodward, meanwhile, appears to have taken the prank in good humour – but he warned Hull that revenge is coming.

He revealed it was the first time she had ever pranked him during their lengthy working relationship.

“I don’t care, I think it’s funny, but revenge is going to be great,” Woodward said.

He even had a suitably elaborate idea for getting his own back.

“I’m going to put a suggestion box at the front here, and any pranks of how I can get Charley back... I figure maybe getting the keys to her car and taking off in it and selling it on the black market for £100,000.

“Then she can deal with it.”

While the prank provided plenty of entertainment away from the course, Hull admitted she had plenty of nerves to deal with when she finally stepped onto the first tee at Royal Lytham.

She opened the championship with a 2-under 69 but felt she could have gone even lower after missing several putts she expected to hole.

“I was super nervous on the first tee. I was so nervous,” Hull said.

“It’s even more nerve-wracking when you’re having to hit an iron because you have to strike an iron shot.

“I missed quite a few putts today that I felt I should have holed, but I felt like I stayed in there pretty well considering how nervous I was, because I feel there was a lot of pressure on me out there.”

Hull in the mix for first major

Hull finished the opening day five shots behind Jeeno Thitikul, who produced a bogey-free 7-under 64 to take the early lead.

Thitikul leads two-time major champion Haeran Ryu and Shiho Kuwaki by two shots.

For Hull, the focus now turns firmly back to the golf.

The Englishwoman is still searching for her first major title after finishing runner-up in major championships five times.

Despite those near misses, Hull remains one of the most recognisable and talented players on the LPGA Tour and will be hoping to turn her solid opening 69 into a serious challenge over the weekend.

As for the scratch-card controversy, Hull's position appears clear.

She thought it was funny, Woodward appears to have taken it in good spirits – and, despite the online criticism, Hull says she would do it all over again.