‘Paris Will Never…’: Charley Hull & Georgia Hall’s Olympic Dreams Split Fans as Smoking Controversy Reignites

Charley Hull has never been to Paris. Neither has her best friend, Georgia Hall. Call it a stroke of luck or their caliber on the greens, both are qualified for the Paris Olympics next month. The two will be the only representatives of Great Britain. For Hall, this is her first Olympics. 

In Rio 2016, Charley Hull was accompanied by Catriona Matthew. Hull couldn’t earn a spot at the 2020 Olympics, with Mel Reid and Jodi Eward taking the mantle in Tokyo. Nevertheless, Hull surely couldn’t have asked for a better partner than Georgia Hall a second time.

Perhaps as preparation (or a further stroke of luck), the duo has paired up for the LPGA Dow Championship this week. In the pre-tournament press conference, the conversation veered around the Olympics, naturally.  

Asked what they look forward to the most, Charley Hull replied, “Just spending time with George because we love playing golf together. We share together, we go to the gym together. We eat food together. We get our nails done together. Obviously that week is going to be a bit of a busy week, but it’s just nice to share it with your best friend special in a moment like that.”

They have plans. Apart from shopping, the pair wants to watch boxing and gymnastics. Actually, Hull wanted to go for boxing, and Hall for gymnastics. Interestingly, Hull was spotted at an MMA match last year. But eventually, they decided to accompany each other in both sports. 

It figures. After all, Georgia Hall once said that when her two-time LPGA Tour winner friend retires, she might just follow suit. Their Paris plans, though, caught fans a little off guard. Some of them expected something more wild. Whereas, a section of them would have preferred an Olympic team without Charley Hull. 

Charley Hull unwittingly triggers smoking controversy once again

The sight of Charley Hull smoking on the greens rubbed a few the wrong way. Netizens lamented that the LPGA icon is setting the wrong example. Some dubbed it as a ‘huge turn-off’. Hull, though, has been unapologetic. “Everyone smokes in England, probably on the golf course in the casual game but not in the U.S. Open. But it was pretty made, really, how it all kind of took off. I was just minding my own business.”

However, the cacophony was yet to die down, as another video of Hull etching ‘CH’ on a fan’s cigarette went viral at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. And it did get under the skin of a few. 

One user scorned, “Didn’t know smokers could be on an Olympic team.” Whereas, another hoped that “Charley gives up smoking cigarettes by then.” Some, however, believe the trend will continue in the Olympics as well. “Paris will never be the same after these 2 make their visit,” a third tweeted.  

Regardless, it’s evident that Charley Hull and Georgia Hall would be the duo to watch out for. Fans can expect more banter in post-tournament press conferences and probably on some Instagram updates. “No team is going to have more fun in Paris than Charley and Georgia,” one fan commented. Whereas others are already “Looking forward to their post-tourney winners interview.”

Charley Hull and Georgia Hall will tee off at Midland County Club in Michigan. The Dow Championship follows an alternating four-ball and foursome format. No Rolex world ranking points are on offer, but both can add one more title to their LPGA resume.