Charley Hull fired a 6-under 65 in Arkansas despite a rough week of illness, putting herself two shots off the lead at Pinnacle Country Club.
Charley Hull arrived at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship with almost no preparation and plenty of reasons to keep expectations low.
Then she shot a 65.
Hull opened with a 6-under round Friday at Pinnacle Country Club, making seven birdies against just one bogey to move into a tie for third, two shots behind leader Yuna Nishimura.
The English star did most of her damage with the putter, needing only 26 putts in a round that kept her firmly in contention on a course where birdies are usually mandatory.
“You got to keep the putter hot,” Hull said. “Just go out there and enjoy it. Loads of birdie opportunities and just go out and have some fun.”
What made the round more impressive was everything that came before it.
Hull revealed she spent much of the previous week battling illness after the Solheim Cup and barely touched a club.
“Last week at home I didn't hit a golf ball for like five days because I was bed-bound I was so poorly,” Hull said.
She said the combination of flu and sickness became serious enough that she considered withdrawing from the tournament altogether.
Instead, Hull traveled to the United States, completed sponsor obligations early in the week and arrived at the course with little competitive preparation.
That might actually have helped.
“So it wasn't really the best prep, but actually I come in here with no expectations,” Hull said.
The result was another encouraging performance in what has been a steady 2026 season. Hull has made 10 cuts in 14 starts with four top-10 finishes, highlighted by a runner-up result at the U.S. Women’s Open and a tie for sixth at the AIG Women’s Open.
She also tied for 10th at both The Chevron Championship and HSBC Women’s World Championship.
Hull last played this event in 2022, when she opened with a 66. Four years later, she came back one shot better.
If the putter stays hot, her weekend in Arkansas could get much more interesting.
