“13 Blisters, Swollen Hands, and a Fight Against the Heat: Charley Hull’s Painful Journey Back to the LPGA Tour”
“13 Blisters, Swollen Hands, and a Fight Against the Heat: Charley Hull’s Painful Journey Back to the LPGA Tour”
In the high-stakes world of professional golf, taking a break often means risking rhythm, momentum, and hard-won ranking positions. But for Charley Hull, stepping back from the LPGA Tour wasn’t just a choice; it was a necessity. After dominating her matches at the Solheim Cup, despite her team’s overall loss, Hull shocked fans with her decision to take a four-week hiatus. Now, as she makes her return at the Maybank Championship, Hull reveals the physical toll her career has taken on her—culminating in 13 painful blisters and a relentless battle with the brutal heat and humidity that plagues her game.
Fans had wondered why Hull, who was riding high on the heels of her Solheim performance, had opted to take a pause from the LPGA Tour just as her season seemed to be gaining traction. It wasn’t until a recent press conference that Hull opened up about the daunting challenges she has been facing. Tired, physically strained, and managing a unique sensitivity to the humidity, Hull confessed that her condition has made playing in intense heat nearly unbearable. “I’m actually allergic to the humidity,” she shared, a revelation that stunned even her loyal followers. “My hands swelled up yesterday…I’ve got 13 blisters on both hands combined, which is a bit annoying because I just seriously swell during the heat.”
After just nine holes in a pro-am event, the pain became too much, forcing Hull to step back. Doctors quickly prescribed medication to manage the swelling and pain, and, against all odds, Hull returned to the course for the tournament’s opening round. Her resilience saw her through an even-par 72, tying her at 55th place—a position that only hints at her potential if she can overcome her physical challenges. She remains determined, admitting that while the struggle “wasn’t too bad” this time, competing in such conditions demands a strength few can fathom.
Even so, Hull is eyeing the leaderboard, aware of the challenge that lies ahead if she hopes to claim another LPGA title. Currently, Japan’s Mao Saigo has set a daunting standard at nine-under par. Hull, ever the competitor, doesn’t see this as a reason to give up. In fact, she’s already looking forward to tomorrow, with plans to shoot a “pretty good, low score.” To make a comeback after such a rough start would be an impressive feat—one Hull seems fiercely determined to achieve.
Yet one noticeable absence could impact Hull’s climb: Nelly Korda, the world number one and Hull’s formidable opponent at the Solheim Cup, is not in the field. Hull spoke candidly about her disappointment, acknowledging Korda’s stellar season and understanding why she might have chosen to sit out. “Yeah, shame Nelly is not playing. I think she’s had a pretty good season so I don’t blame her for taking it off.”
Despite Korda’s absence, Hull’s personal battle with the elements continues to overshadow her focus on the competition. In an interview following her round, Hull reflected on her play with guarded optimism: “Yeah, I felt like I played pretty solid. Just gave away a couple shots.” She mentioned missed opportunities on the fifth and towards the end, but her steady performance, combined with a closing birdie, provided a glimmer of hope for the rounds to come.
As the Maybank Championship unfolds, all eyes are on Charley Hull. Will she be able to rise above her physical challenges and make the cut? Can she outmaneuver the field, close the gap, and push herself into contention? Hull has shown resilience before, and as she fights to overcome what could have been career-crippling obstacles, her fans know better than to count her out.
