Golf Jun 23, 2026

Charley Hull exclusive: Late-night dreams from 'sore' near-misses fuel motivation to find breakthrough major win

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By Admin
Sports Journalist
Charley Hull exclusive: Late-night dreams from 'sore' near-misses fuel motivation to find breakthrough major win

Charley Hull has experienced late-night dreams replaying past near-misses in majors but insists she "can beat anyone" as she continues to pursue an elusive breakthrough victory.

The world No 5 has been a regular contender in majors over the past decade, with five runner-up finishes - including four in the last four years - without yet finding a maiden major title.

The Englishwoman finished second to Lilia Vu at the 2023 AIG Women's Open and runner-up to Miyu Yamashita in the 2025 edition at Royal Porthcawl, while the latest disappointment saw her finish a shot behind Nelly Korda at the US Women's Open earlier this month.

Hull will have a fresh chance for major glory at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship this week, with the Evian Championship (July 9-12) and AIG Women's Open (July 30-August 2) still to come, despite still replaying her fresh close call.

"It [major contention] is like being in a big arena - I love that feeling," Hull told the Your Site Golf podcast. "I played really well, it just gets sorer and sorer every time I come second in a major.

"On Monday night when I got back home I woke my boyfriend up by an accident, I felt like I punched him in the head and I didn't mean to. I was doing a golf swing and I thought I was playing the final round of the US Open - it was like 12.30 at night.

"I just kept having so many dreams, replaying shots and what I could have done better to win it. Subconsciously it comes into my dreams and I have weird golfing dreams sometimes."

Hull explained: "I do have it [doubts] all the time and my dad or James are like 'come on, you are going to win it'. I overthink too much and I get too golf-obsessed sometimes - it's not healthy to be too golf-obsessed, because then you start not enjoying the rest of your life."

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Korda is the pre-tournament favourite to win the event for a second time, five years on from her first, with the world No 1 already the first player since Inbee Park to take the first two women's majors of the year.

The American has won two other LPGA Tour events already in 2026 and has eight top-three finishes in her last nine worldwide starts, although Hull relishes the opportunity to try and get the better of Korda.

"When I play my best golf I feel like I can beat anyone, but Nelly [Korda] is just so consistent in the minute," Hull added. "She's won and now she's playing with confidence as well - it's hard to beat someone that's playing with confidence.

"I feel like if I just get over the line and then have some confidence in me, I don't feel like there's any stopping me.

"I think Nelly is such a credit to women's golf. The way she just carries herself is great and I don't think the LPGA Tour would be in such a good position without Nelly in that right now."

It's eight years since Georgia Hall became the most recent Englishwoman to win a major with her two-shot victory at Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club, the venue hosting this year's AIG Women's Open.

Scotland's Catriona Matthew also won her major there during the 2009 contest, and Hull has already visited the Lancashire links to prepare for her bid to become the third successive British winner there.

"It [winning] would be really cool," Hull admitted. "I spoke to Georgia [Hall] about it [winning] actually before the final round of the AIG Women's Open back in 2023, when I was tied for the lead going into it.

"She said 'just go out there and enjoy it, you're going to feel nervous, just go out there and enjoy it'. She just stayed out all the bunkers in Royal Lytham that week, didn't she?

"I do love playing it [links golf] with my friends but I find it very hard in a major championship sometimes to play, because it can get right into your skin.

"My game is built for a US Open, I find, whereas at the AIG Women's Open it's quite hard because a lot of it is luck of the draw and you can get a lot of unlucky bounces. You've got to have a bit of luck on your side but you've got to stay patient on a links golf course.

"There's a little bit more pressure [as a home contender] but, at the end of the day, I'd just be surrounding myself and my friends and family and just kind of keep it chilled."

Who will win the KPMG Women's PGA Championship? Watch throughout the week live on Your Site. Live coverage begins on Thursday from 4pm on Your Site+ and 5pm on Your Site Golf. or .

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