‘Ruthless’ Charley Hull Doesn’t Idolize Nelly Korda but 100% Agrees With Her on LPGA’s Worst Problem

Golf is a game of precision and patience, but this patience indeed gets on the nerve when play moves at a snail’s pace. Between unpredictable winds, changing weather, and—let’s be honest—delays because of slow play, it can all add up to one frustrating experience. And Charley Hull recently got a taste of this. After finishing tied for a second at The Annika Invitational, Hull’s final round ended so late that it was extended into the dark, making the course nearly unplayable.

When asked about the pace of play during her post-round interview, Hull didn’t hold back. “It was crazy. I’m quite ruthless,” she said, clearly frustrated with how long things were taking. And she didn’t stop there—she threw out a pretty bold idea to speed things up.“If you get three bad timings, every time it’s a tee shot penalty, if you have three of them you lose your Tour card instantly.” Her suggestion? Make the penalty harsh enough to make players think twice about slowing things down.

Her annoyance is understandable, but this isn’t the first time any golfer has shared grievances on the same. Previously, World No.1 Nelly Korda echoed the sentiment, saying, “Honestly, I despise slow play.” She asserted how it drives her up a “freaking wall” and how she “can’t stand it.” Following her fifth win at the Chevron Championship, she explained how she adjusted to the vexing situation. “I kind of knew it was going to be a slow day, so I tried to not get ready for my tee shots or my approach shots or my putting until it was my time to go,” she said.

Both Korda and Hull have different ways of dealing with the same frustration. One calls for harsh penalties, while the other adjusts her mindset. But when it comes to slow play, there’s one thing both the competitors agree on—it drives them crazy.

Is there a rivalry between Nelly Korda and Charley Hull?

When it comes to competition, yes, there’s definitely a rivalry between the two. But on a personal level? Not really. In an industry where success often pits players against one another, it’s not always necessary to be best friends with your competitors. Korda and Hull may not be close, but there’s never been any visible animosity between them.

That said, there was one moment that sparked some attention. When Hull was asked if she’d take notes from Korda, she replied, “Not really. I don’t really watch players play golf too much. I’m in my own little bubble.” Nevertheless, Hull acknowledged her respect for Korda and her game.

As for their on-course battles, they’ve only faced off twice professionally. The first encounter was at the Solheim Cup, where Hull handed Korda a decisive 6 & 4 defeat. However, Korda got her revenge as she clinched her seventh LPGA title with a three-stroke victory over Hull.

And with just one final LPGA Tour event left, it will be interesting to see how Hull and Korda match up once again at the 2024 CME Group Tour Championship.