Charley Hull late to Solheim Cup tee – but Mel Reid reveals the real reason

Charley Hull’s Solheim Cup week got off to an eventful start on Tuesday – but her vice-captain Mel Reid has now moved to firmly shut down suggestions that the English star was late to the tee after drinking the night before.

Hull was noticeably absent when her group, which included fellow European Lottie Woad, arrived at the 1st tee at Bernardus Golf for their practice round.

By the time Hull reached the tee box, her playing partners had already teed off, with Sky Sports commentator Sophie Walker explaining during the live coverage that Hull was catching up with her group.

The incident quickly became a talking point, particularly after Sky Sports Golf reported on X that Hull said “we had drinks last night” following her opening drive.

The Sky Sports Golf X account incorrectly captioned its post by claiming Hull was late to the 1st tee as a result of being hungover. 

But Reid has hit back by describing Sky's initial reporting as “completely false”.

Speaking at a press conference after Tuesday practice, the European vice-captain explained Hull had actually gone to bed at 8pm and was among the first players ready to leave for the course the following morning.

“It’s a completely false story. Charley Hull was the first one to bed last night, at 8 o’clock, and the first one on the bus this morning. She doesn’t even drink,” Reid said.

“So that is a completely false story. It’s been misquoted.”

Sky Sports Golf has since changed the caption on its X post in light of Reid's comments. 

Reid takes responsibility for Hull's lateness to 1st tee

Reid accepted responsibility for Hull being late to the tee, explaining that she had struggled to get the popular Englishwoman away from the practice range in time.

“She was late to the tee because I was responsible for her, so I’ll take a little bit of responsibility to that,” Reid added.

“But she just thought her tee time was a little bit later, and trying to drag Charley Hull off a driving range is a feat in any tournament, especially a Solheim Cup.”

Reid later clarified that Hull’s delay was down to two things: her reluctance to leave the driving range and her belief that her tee time was five minutes later than it actually was.

“Well, there’s actually a story behind it, though, so I just kind of want to shut this down before the people start talking about it,” Reid explained.

“But she was literally late because, one, I couldn’t drag her off the driving range, and, two, she thought her tee time was five minutes later than it was.”

The clarification puts a very different complexion on what initially appeared to be another colourful Hull moment.

The 30-year-old is preparing for her eighth Solheim Cup appearance and remains one of the most experienced members of Anna Nordqvist’s European side.

Hull has been part of three victorious European teams and will be expected to play a significant role as Europe look to reclaim the trophy from the United States.