Will Charley Hull Be Penalized for Smoking at the U.S. Women’s Open? Major Tournament’s Code of Conduct Explored

Charley Hull went viral on social media for pulling off a John Daly. At no less than the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open. Hull was first spotted ripping darts while signing autographs after a practice round. A lit cigarette was also hanging from her lips while signing the scorecard on the 18th yesterday. 

It has polarized fans. Some panned her for the ‘disgusting’ habit, calling it a ‘huge turn-off’. Daly’s cigars heated the conversation on social media channels and golf forums earlier. But the question is: What is the USGA’s view on the entire matter? Will the LPGA Pro have to face consequences for smoking on the course?

Charley Hull might just get away with it

The USGA doesn’t have any specific rules on smoking. The fan guide for the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open carries a long list of dos and don’ts under the conduct policy. However, no mention of smoking or carrying cigarettes can be found. 

Contrarily, in the clip that went viral, USGA volunteers and officials appeared to be present beside her. None of them seemed to object to Charly Hull smoking a cigarette. Interestingly, the LPGA’s list of prohibited items doesn’t include cigars, vaping, or cigarettes. So, Charley Hull won’t likely face any repercussions because of it. 

Hull might have to forego that in the next major, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, however, because the PGA of America rules for spectators prohibit smoking in no unambiguous terms. Whether it stays the same for LPGA pros remains to be seen. 

Notably, Hull’s peer and major winner, Danielle Kang, is known to carry Dunhill in her pockets. But Kang hasn’t been spotted ripping darts, like the World No. 8. Previously, she was spotted vaping at the 2023 Meijer LPGA Classic. Charly Hull, who has been very open about her ADHD battles, has a very surprising reason for smoking. 

You wouldn’t guess why Hull is smoking at the Lancaster Country Club

Hull’s smoking video turned many heads. The clip even reached her LPGA peers, including World No. 1 golfer Nelly Korda. The 25-year-old showed it to Hull and Megan Khang, who burst out into hearty laughter. Hull, though, was smoking because she wanted to quit vaping. Zephyr Melton of Golf.com tweeted, “Best tidbit of the week from a longtime LPGA caddie: Said Charley told him she was smoking cigarettes so she can quit vaping.”

Outside of that, the 28-year-old hasn’t spoken about her smoking habit or hasn’t addressed either the criticism or the long list of new followers—she apparently gained 50,000 followers this week alone. Perhaps Charley Hull didn’t expect to go viral for this. However, the rarity of the situation shot her into the limelight. The British pro is 8-over after three rounds tied at 39, well out of contention for the elusive major triumph.