In a sport where discipline and decorum are paramount, Charley Hull has sparked a heated discussion about smoking in professional golf in addition to lighting up the leaderboard. Although Hull is not the only golfer to light up—legends like John Daly and Arnold Palmer were well known for smoking on the course—her unrepentant demeanor and viral moments have made her a target for both praise and condemnation.

During her open discussion of her smoking habits on The Dan Le Batard Show last year, Hull disclosed that she smokes roughly five cigarettes per round but that she wants to stop. Given that both her father and her nephew smoked, she ascribed her habit to growing up in a household where smoking was normal. But just when the smoke seemed to clear, a fiery press conference clip reignited the controversy and turned Hull into a punchline, but Hull herself did not seem to be addressing the conference.

Charley Hull becomes a joke for her smoking remarks

In a clip posted by St. André Golf on X, another person was seen impersonating Hull at a conference. Hannah Rae from St. Andre Golf impersonated Charley Hull in the Australian accent, ridiculing the things that Hull is most well known for – her smoking habit. Rae ridiculed her smoking habit in the video, claiming that she could stop at any time and making jokes about how she began at the age of eleven months. During the hypothetical press conference setting, she even lit a cigarette but quickly threw it away, saying, “I’m not addicted.” 

However, the fun didn’t stop there. Hannah Rae even mockingly expressed frustration over being labeled a smoker, stating, “I don’t get why, like, I’m a smoker. I mean, like, that keeps being a narrative of me, but, like, for f**k’s sake. And sorry for cussing, but, like, again, that’s the thing about me. Like, I’ll say what I’m gonna say. You don’t know what’s gonna come out my mouth. I don’t know what’s gonna come out my mouth.” She concluded by lighting another cigarette, taking a puff, and challenging critics with, “Yeah, so you can like it, or you can limp it. Go on, then.” The video quickly went viral, with many viewers finding humor in the exaggerated portrayal. Despite Hull’s public commitment to quitting smoking months prior, this parody reignited discussions about her smoking habits and their place in professional golf.

This controversy is not the first time Hull has faced criticism for her smoking habit. She was previously under fire after pictures of her smoking during the U.S. Women’s Open went viral and led to her being compared to John Daly. Frequently embracing her rebellious image and brushing off worries about her smoking, Hull appeared unconcerned by the unfavorable attention. However, the present episode at the press conference raises the possibility that the public’s understanding is ebbing and that Hull’s attempts at humor are no longer being received in good faith. Yet behind the smoke and sass lies a deeper personal struggle—a genuine effort by Hull to kick the habit for good.

Hull takes up a hard challenge to quit smoking

Charley Hull made headlines for her daring attempt to quit smoking when she and another golfer, Ryan Evans, bet £10,000 to give up cigarettes for two months. In an Instagram video announcing the wager, Hull was shown giving away her pack of cigarettes and announcing her intention to stop smoking. “A deal is a deal. Let’s see if I’m a woman of my word,” she stated, signaling a serious attempt to overcome her addiction.

Public pressure was not the only factor in Hull’s decision to resign. She formerly used smoking as a coping mechanism for stress and ADHD, which she has freely disclosed. Hull voiced worries about how the smoking ban would impact her performance, which made things much more difficult at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. She said, “It relaxes me a little bit,” underscoring the mental challenges she encounters when trying to stop.

Despite these obstacles, Hull is adamant about changing. She has admitted how her family’s smoking habits have affected her personally and stated that she wants to end the cycle. She admitted, “I hate smoking,” and disclosed that she had previously scolded her father for his habit. Hull’s story shows the intricacies of addiction and the bravery needed to face it, particularly in front of others. Hull’s fight with smoking serves as a reminder of the emotional problems that frequently lie beneath the surface of public personas as she continues to traverse the professional golf fields.