Charley Hull Surges Up Leaderboard at Familiar AIG Women’s Open Venue

Playing just 35 minutes away from home, Hull showed how comfortable she feels at Walton Heath with a bogey-free 68.

Ally Ewing might hold a five-shot lead at the AIG Women’s Open, but the dense pack of competitors chasing her down—including three players tied for second place at 5-under—is not going away. 

Of that bunch, one player feels particularly comfortable at Walton Heath, the renowned Herbert Fowler design hosting this week’s championship. 

Charley Hull, the 27-year-old Englishwoman who finished T2 at last month’s U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach, grew up in Kettering, 70 miles north of London, and now resides in Sunningdale, just 35 minutes from Walton Heath. 

Hull proved her familiarity with the venue Friday when she posted a bogey-free 68. 

“I’m happy how I hit it off the tee and holed some long putts. I’m buzzing for the next few rounds,” Hull said. 

Charley is charging 🔋

She holes another great putt on the back 9. pic.twitter.com/weU30TIdxd

— AIG Women’s Open (@AIGWomensOpen) August 11, 2023

Hull first played the heathland track in 2013 with her father, and since then she’s returned several times with friends. The only difference between her past experiences with Walton Heath and this year’s major is the tee boxes she played from. 

Hull is accustomed to playing the course from the back tees, so the difficult track feels uniquely gettable for her. 

“I’ve played it with my friends, and we’ve both been off the backs, so it’s actually playing quite short out there, and I think it will be very scorable,” Hull said before the start of the tournament. 

It isn’t just the fairways and greens that are making Hull feel comfortable this week. The five-time Solheim Cup team member is enjoying the hometown atmosphere and some friendly faces among the spectators. 

“The crowds are nice. Seeing my nephew in the crowd, it's really good. They are good crowds. There will be some big ones over the weekend,” she said. 

Hull is currently tied with Minami Katsu and Andrea Lee at 5-under for the championship. Lilia Vu, the 2023 Chevron champion, sits one stroke behind at 4-under, along with Gaby Lopez, Alison Lee and Hyo Joo Kim.