Charley Hull Leads The Annika Driven by Gainbridge with Creative Bet Motivating Her Performance

Charley Hull, the World No. 12 golfer from England, is currently leading The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican Golf Club after a stellar performance in the first two rounds. Hull carded a six-under 64 in the first round, marking the best 18-hole score of her LPGA Tour career, and followed it up with a 4-under 66 in the second round, giving her a two-shot lead over World No. 1 Nelly Korda.

Hull’s strong start can be attributed in part to a motivational bet she made with her boyfriend, Gaz Beadle. The bet involves adding an extra day to their upcoming European holiday for every five birdies she makes. After making seven birdies in the first round and five more in the second, Hull is set to enjoy an extended vacation. “I actually had a bet with my boyfriend – every five birdies that I make, we have an extra day on our holiday. So I was trying to make 10 birdies. Hopefully I’ll have more over the weekend and I have a two-week holiday at the end of the year!” Hull explained.

Hull’s recent form has been impressive, following her victory on the Ladies European Tour at the Aramco Team Series Riyadh. She has also performed well in her LPGA Tour starts since returning from an injury caused by a fall in the shower in July. Her performance at The Annika is crucial as she aims to secure her spot at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship next week.

The tournament is set to be an exciting showdown, particularly with Hull facing off against Nelly Korda, who is playing her first event in nearly two months after recovering from a minor neck injury. Korda, a two-time winner of The Annika, is two shots behind Hull and will be in the final group with her on the weekend.

Other notable performances include Alexa Pano, who is tied for third after a second-round 64, and Brittany Lincicome, who made the cut in her final event as a full-time player.