\n<\/p>\n
It has been a scarcely believable dozen years since Hull burst on to the professional scene in 2013 with five sucessive runners-up finishes on the Ladies European Tour (LET).<\/p>\n
She has gone on to record a combined six victories on the LPGA Tour and LET and become a key member of the past six European Solheim Cup teams, but three runner-up finishes remain the best Hull has achieved in the sport’s biggest championships.<\/p>\n
“Second to me is first loser,” said England’s top ranked player.<\/p>\n
“But I’m in a great position because if you’re not asking [about my chances], I’m not doing something right.”<\/p>\n
Hull has been a little boom or bust in the majors over recent years. In her past 24 starts, she has missed the cut on eight occassions but finished top-25 in 15, including runner-up in this championship when it was held at Surrey course Walton Heath in 2023.<\/p>\n
Unlike the men’s Open Championship, which is always held at a coastal links course, the women’s equivalent is also played at inland courses.<\/p>\n
And while Hull said she “prefers parkland” tracks, she has positive experiences from Porthcawl to draw upon.<\/p>\n
“I won here when I was 14, so I have fond memories,” she said, referring to playing in the inaugural Junior Vagliano trophy in 2011 – a Solheim Cup-style amateur contest which pits Great Britain and Ireland agaist Continental Europe.<\/p>\n
“Links is going to be a challenge and I hope the wind is up because I like finding links hard.”<\/p>\n
Three times she has finished in the spot behind the winner in her previous 59 major appearances. There have been six other top-10s.<\/p>\n
“I don’t really look at stuff like that,” she said.<\/p>\n
“I have no interest. As I am in life, once I’m done I’m off to the next thing.”<\/p>\n
And when pushed on what she needs to do to take her game to the next level, Hull simply said: “I need to not put too much pressure on my golf, not be too golf obsessed.<\/p>\n
“Like when I was younger, I was never that obsessed.”<\/p>\n
Perhaps a windy Porthcawl will help invoke memories of those more innocent days at blustery Turnberry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n