Charley Hull had a difficult start at the Olympic women’s golf tournament, shooting an 81 on the first day without recording a single birdie.
Hull, ranked No. 11 in the world and representing Great Britain, attributed her struggles to an injury and a lack of recent practice rather than her inability to smoke on the course.
The 28-year-old golfer is known for smoking to manage her nerves, particularly after being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder last year. Although she usually smokes during rounds, the Olympic rules prohibit smoking at the Golf National venue, which Hull feels may impact her performance.
Hull’s smoking habit has garnered attention, though she has a strong track record with two LPGA tournament victories and top-three finishes in all five major tournaments each season.
The ban on smoking at the Olympic venue extends to fans as well, adding to Hull’s difficulties. She acknowledged that the restriction might affect her, saying, “I think it will affect my chances because it relaxes me a bit, but that’s how it is.”
France’s recent anti-smoking measures have intensified the situation. The country has banned tobacco use in parks, beaches, and other public areas, prohibited disposable e-cigarettes, and raised the price of tobacco products to €13 per pack to work towards a tobacco-free generation by 2032.
As Hull faces these challenges, she remains focused on overcoming the hurdles and improving her performance in the upcoming rounds of the tournament.
