Charley Hull stands firm after £100,000 scratchcard prank on caddie

Charley Hull has refused to apologise after a prank that led her caddie, Adam Woodward, to believe he had won £100,000. Hull said: 'I think people need to lighten up'.

The incident came on the eve of the Women’s Open, when Hull used a media appearance to disclose she had bought fake scratchcards in a Blackpool joke shop and then presented one to Woodward as a joke. She captured his initial elation and subsequent disappointment on video, footage that has circulated since she revealed the stunt. Meanwhile on the leaderboard, Thitikul leads on -7 and double major winner Ryu sits on -5.

Hull explained the set-up during her pre-tournament obligations, saying she purchased the novelty cards while in Blackpool and decided to play a prank on her travelling caddie. Woodward’s reaction moved from jubilant belief in a sudden windfall to visible letdown when the truth emerged, and Hull recorded the sequence. The recording was part of what she shared with media on the day before play began.

The golfer’s reaction to criticism has been unequivocal; she declined to apologise and defended the joke when questioned by reporters. Those who voiced disapproval were met with a firm rebuttal from Hull, who argued the episode was intended in jest. Her public stance has attracted attention alongside the usual pre-tournament commentary as competitors prepared for the opening round.

Organisers and fellow players focused attention on the imminent competition, with the leaderboard showing Thitikul in front at -7 and Ryu at -5. The event’s narrative has therefore combined on-course performance details with off-course headlines generated by the prank. Hull’s decision to film and share the moment ensured it became a talking point in the hours before the tournament’s start.

Hull has maintained that the episode was light-hearted and resisted calls for an apology, reiterating her view that the reaction has been overblown. The Women’s Open will proceed with Thitikul leading on -7 and double major winner Ryu on -5 as attention remains divided between competition and the controversy off the tee.