Last year, Charley Hull triumphed at the Kroger Queen City Championship after Jeeno Thitikul four-putted the 72nd hole in Cincinnati.
On Sunday, during the final round of the PIF London Championship at Centurion Club, Hull found herself on the other side of that coin.
The hometown favorite started the final round three shots behind 17-year-old Anna Huang but made five birdies in an 11-hole stretch to take a one-shot lead heading to the par-3 17th hole. That’s when things went sideways for Hull.
Both players found the green with their tee shots, and Huang made an easy par. Hull’s tee shot landed 30 feet from the hole, giving her an outside look at birdie but what appeared to be a good chance at making par to keep her lead going to the final hole. Hull’s birdie attempt raced five feet past the hole and then rolled her comebacker four feet past the hole in the other direction. Hull eventually tapped in for a double-bogey to fall one behind Huang heading to the par-5 18th.
Hull found the green in two and two-putted for a closing birdie, but Huang drained a length eagle putt to finish off her two-shot win over Hull in style.
Hull’s week started with a 74, but she then fired a course-record 11-under 62 on Friday to jump back into contention. That bogey-free 62 broke the previous course record set by Georgia Hall. After entering the history books at Centurion on Friday, Hull admitted she was run down after a grueling LPGA stretch that included two majors and the women’s Scottish Open in a four-week stretch.
“It was really good; I shot 11-under, and I actually left a couple of shots out there coming in,” Hull said on Friday. “I know that sounds pretty crazy, but it was a fun day. I have been so tired this week, exhausted from the last couple of weeks, especially after the AIG Women’s Open last week.
“I feel pretty tired and my body is in bits. I have got a few ongoing injuries, so I’ve been having a lot of physio. I’m quite shocked that I’ve shot 11-under today because I felt so tired this morning. It felt like the easiest 11-under of my life. I’m standing here right now feeling like I left a couple of shots out there and I want to go and see if I can improve it tomorrow.”
Despite being mentally and physically drained, the World No. 6 willed her way into contention in London, hoping to secure her first win in England.
A Sunday birdie barrage allowed Hull to pull ahead of Huang, but the late four-putt allowed the Canadian teenager to win her fourth Ladies European Tour title in the last 11 months.
“That was probably the most thrilling round of golf of my life. That was crazy. I have no words. I’m just so shocked,” Huang said after her win. “I knew coming down three tough holes was not easy, and I tried to focus on each shot because anything can happen in golf, and I stayed in my own lane.
“I can’t believe I made another eagle [on 18]. I focused on the putt and made a good stroke, and it went in. Charley is such a phenomenal player and playing with her in the past two days in the final group has been really cool.”
With the win, the first with her mother in attendance, Huang broke Lydia Ko’s record for the youngest player to win four LET titles, doing so at 17 years, nine months and 10 days. Ko, the LPGA Hall of Famer, won her fourth at 18 years, four months and 20 days.
“A year ago, I was at a really low point in my life and golf wasn’t really fun for me. I was dealing with all these thoughts, but with the help of my family and all my support, I was able to get myself back together and push through that part,” Huang said.
“I’ve always looked up to Lydia [Ko]. She’s always been my idol growing up. There’s so much to admire about her game.”
As Huang celebrated a historic win, Hull left Centurion Club to rue another tough loss in a year that has included a fair share of what-ifs and could’ve-beens.
