Charley Hull hands Team Europe big Solheim Cup boost after little-known rule that scuppered Olympics hopes is changed

Charley Hull has been handed a significant advantage ahead of this year’s Solheim Cup as a rule change allows her to maintain a personal habit that aids her performance. The 28-year-old English golfer, who has openly discussed how smoking on the golf course helps her manage ADHD, faced difficulties during the Paris Olympics when a smoking ban hindered her ability to stay relaxed.

As a result, she finished tied for 27th place. However, Team Europe’s captain, Suzann Petersen, has confirmed that Hull will be allowed to smoke during this weekend’s Solheim Cup in Virginia, enabling her to focus fully on her game against the world’s top golfer, Nelly Korda.

Hull, known for her success on the European circuit, has narrowly missed out on major wins, including second-place finishes at the 2016 Chevron Championship and the 2023 US Women’s Open and Women’s British Open. Despite the challenges, her team will not face the pressure of breaking the US’s Solheim Cup dominance, as Europe remains the defending champion after their triumph in Scotland in 2019.

Hull, confident that smoking relaxes her and helps maintain composure, will be hoping to lead Team Europe to another victory on American soil this weekend.