Charley Hull issues statement after collapsing at major championship

Charley Hull has confirmed she is okay after she was forced to withdraw from the Evian Championship. 

Hull withdrew from the fourth women's major of the year in France on Thursday after she collapsed during the first round. 

The 29-year-old had completed 12 holes at Evian-les-Bains and was one-under par for the tournament when she was taken off the course on a medical cart. 

She had been struggling with a virus but felt she could play as she had eaten before the round began was feeling a lot better.

Hull, who started on the 10th hole, was pictured sitting down next to a fairway bunker at the 13th alongside her caddie Adam Woodward. 

The LPGA Tour and European Solheim Cup star got up and carried on but she collapsed on the fourth tee box. 

She took a 15-minute medical timeout but collapsed again and was taken off the course where she received an IV drip but did not need to go to hospital. 

Hull has now confirmed that she is feeling a lot better and she has thanked the medical staff who helped look after her. 

"Not the Evian Championship I was hoping for," Hull wrote on her social media channels. 

"Been struggling with a virus all week but it got the better of me yesterday. Thanks to the medics who took care of me and all those who have reached out with messages of support, it's really appreciated. 

"Happy to say I'm feeling a lot better today, just gutted I can't play the weekend at such a fantastic tournament."

Leona Maguire was one of five clubhouse leaders at the conclusion of the first round. 

Maguire carded a six-under 65 which included her very first hole-in-one in a professional tournament. 

Andrea Lee, Jennifer Kupcho, Gabriela Ruffels and Grace Kim also carded 65s.

Amateur Lottie Woad, who won the Irish Open last week, was three shots off the lead. 

World No.1 Nelly Korda shot a four-under 67.

Hull will have one more opportunity in 2025 to win her first major. 

The Women's Open will be played at Royal Porthcawl in Wales later this month. 

Hull has finished second at the Women's Open, US Women's Open and Chevron Championship, and has a top-10 finish at the Women's PGA Championship.