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).
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.
“Second to me is first loser,” said England’s top ranked player.
“But I’m in a great position because if you’re not asking [about my chances], I’m not doing something right.”
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.
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.
And while Hull said she “prefers parkland” tracks, she has positive experiences from Porthcawl to draw upon.
“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.
“Links is going to be a challenge and I hope the wind is up because I like finding links hard.”
Three times she has finished in the spot behind the winner in her previous 59 major appearances. There have been six other top-10s.
“I don’t really look at stuff like that,” she said.
“I have no interest. As I am in life, once I’m done I’m off to the next thing.”
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.
“Like when I was younger, I was never that obsessed.”
Perhaps a windy Porthcawl will help invoke memories of those more innocent days at blustery Turnberry.
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