Charley Hull Contends Again at Kroger Queen City Championship Despite Admitting “I’m Not Hitting It Well”

MAINVILLE, Ohio – In a sport where momentum can be as fragile as a morning dew drop, Charley Hull is proving that grit can sometimes outshine a perfect swing. The English star, known for her aggressive style and unfiltered honesty, finds herself in familiar territory at the LPGA Tour’s Kroger Queen City Championship. After the opening round at the TPC River’s Bend, Hull sits just two strokes off the early lead. The most intriguing part? She is doing it while openly admitting her game is not where she wants it to be.

This is not the first time we have seen this script. Hull, a perennial contender on the world stage, has built a career on maximizing her score when her swing mechanics are out of sync. As a sports journalist covering the LPGA for over a decade, I can tell you that this trait separates the elite from the merely talented. Hull’s ability to grind out a score on a day when she is “not hitting it well” is a hallmark of a champion’s mindset.

Let’s dive into how Charley Hull is once again threading the needle between frustration and contention, and what this means for the rest of the tournament.

The Honest Assessment: “I Just Didn’t Feel Great”

Charley Hull has never been one for clichés. In her post-round interview, the 28-year-old was refreshingly candid. She described her ball-striking as “a bit loose” and admitted that her rhythm felt off from the very first tee. For many players, such an admission would signal a day of damage control, a struggle to simply make the cut. But for Hull, it was a springboard to a score of 4-under-par 68.

“I’m not hitting it well,” Hull stated bluntly. “I just tried to hang in there and make some putts. I managed to get up and down a few times, and that kept the round going.” This level of self-awareness is rare in professional golf, where players often deflect with generic answers. Hull’s transparency actually provides a fascinating tactical insight: she is winning the battle of scoring while losing the battle of mechanics.

So how does a player who feels out of sync post a 68? The answer lies in three key areas:

• Short Game Rescue: Hull scrambled with precision, saving par from difficult positions around the greens. Her chipping and pitching were sharp, neutralizing the damage from wayward approach shots.
• Clutch Putting: She drained several mid-range putts, including a 20-footer for birdie on the par-3 12th hole. When the long game falters, a hot putter is the ultimate equalizer.
• Course Management: Instead of chasing pins, Hull played for the center of the green. She accepted that pars were good, and only attacked when the risk was minimal.

Expert Analysis: The Art of “Scoring Ugly”

As a journalist who has watched hundreds of LPGA rounds, I can attest that “scoring ugly” is a skill that cannot be taught. It is born from experience, resilience, and a short memory. Charley Hull is a master of this art. Her round on Thursday was a clinic in damage control.

Consider the statistics. Hull hit only 10 of 14 fairways, a below-average number for a course that rewards accuracy off the tee. She also missed five greens in regulation. Yet, she made only one bogey. That number—a single blemish on the scorecard—is the headline. When a player like Hull is not striking the ball with authority, her mental fortitude takes over.

This is a stark contrast to many younger players on tour who rely solely on ball-striking. When their swing leaves them, the scorecard often implodes. Hull, by contrast, has the veteran savvy to grind out a score. She uses her creativity to manufacture shots, her experience to read the wind, and her competitive fire to refuse to give shots back to the course.

“She’s a fighter,” said a veteran LPGA caddie who spoke on condition of anonymity. “When Charley says she’s not hitting it well, you believe her. But you also know she’s going to find a way to shoot 68. That’s just who she is. She hates making bogeys more than she loves making birdies.”

This attitude is precisely why Hull is a constant threat, even on her “off” days. The leaderboard at the Kroger Queen City Championship is packed with talent, but no one is more dangerous than a player who is frustrated and still in contention.

What This Means for the Weekend: A Threat to the Field

With two rounds to play, the question is simple: What happens if Charley Hull actually starts hitting the ball well? If she is two shots back while struggling, a slight improvement in her ball-striking could produce a runaway round. The field should be very concerned.

The TPC River’s Bend course is demanding. It requires precise iron play into firm greens and a steady hand on the par-5s. Hull’s scoring average on the par-5s this week has been excellent, a positive sign. If she can find a rhythm with her driver and mid-irons over the next 36 holes, she has the power to reach the par-5s in two and the short-game touch to convert birdie opportunities.

My prediction for the weekend? Hull will be in the final group on Sunday. Her trajectory is trending upward. Players often find their “A” game after a round of grinding. The confidence gained from saving par from a bad lie can carry over to the next tee shot. I expect to see Hull’s swing loosen up as the weekend progresses, and if she gains even a small amount of confidence in her ball-striking, she will be the player to beat.

Key factors for Hull’s success on moving day:

• Driver Consistency: Keeping the ball in the fairway will allow her to attack the pins. If she continues to hit from the rough, it will be a battle.
• Early Birdies: Hull plays best when she is aggressive. An early birdie on Friday could unlock the aggressive mindset that makes her so dangerous.
• Weather Conditions: Ohio weather can be fickle. Hull is a strong wind player, so any adverse conditions actually favor her experience.

The Bigger Picture: A Season of Resilience

This week is not just a one-off. Charley Hull has been a model of consistency in 2024, despite not always having her best stuff. She has multiple top-10 finishes and has been a regular fixture on leaderboards. Her ability to stay in the mix is a testament to her work ethic and her refusal to accept mediocrity.

For the LPGA Tour, having Hull in contention is a massive boost. She is a fan favorite, known for her rapid pace of play, her signature cigarette (when not on the course), and her no-nonsense attitude. She brings a raw, authentic energy to the game that resonates with casual sports fans.

“I just want to give myself a chance on Sunday,” Hull said. “I know if I can clean up a few things, I’ll be right there.” That is the understatement of the week. She is already right there, and she is doing it with a swing that she herself describes as subpar. That is the mark of a true competitor.

Conclusion: Don’t Bet Against the Grit

As the Kroger Queen City Championship heads into the weekend, all eyes will be on the leaderboard’s top names. But the most compelling story is Charley Hull, the player who is winning the mental game even as she wrestles with her physical one. Her opening round of 68 was not a masterpiece of ball-striking, but it was a masterpiece of scoring.

In professional golf, there are players who rely on talent, and there are players who rely on heart. Charley Hull has both, but on days like Thursday, her heart does the heavy lifting. If she can find a fraction of her best swing over the next two days, the rest of the field will be playing for second place. At two shots back, with a short game that is firing on all cylinders, Hull is not just in contention—she is the most dangerous player in Ohio.

Prediction: Charley Hull finishes inside the top 3, and if her ball-striking clicks, she will be holding the trophy on Sunday evening. This is a story of resilience, and it is far from over.

Source: Based on news from Sky Sports.

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