Hull: "Trolls Don't Bother Me, I'm Too Busy Winning"

Kettering-born golfer Charley Hull has become a household name, not just for her impressive performance on the green, but also for her outspoken personality and unconventional approach to life. After a photograph of her smoking at the US Open went viral, Hull became the subject of much discussion and even earned the title of "cult hero" from American publication _Golf.com_.

Hull's candid nature shines through in her interactions with the media. While she acknowledges the pressure and scrutiny that come with being a public figure, she takes it all in stride. She readily admits to her quirks and coping mechanisms, including her reliance on smoking and excessive water intake to combat her ADHD.

Speaking to _Telegraph Sport_ ahead of the Olympics, Hull revealed how her ADHD both helps and hinders her golf game. She explained that her condition gives her bursts of intense focus, perfect for tackling a single hole, but also leaves her with periods of "fuzzy head" where clarity is a struggle. Smoking and drinking water, she shared, are her ways of managing these fluctuations.

At the Olympics, Hull's smoking habit became a hot topic once again when she was critical of the Games' smoking ban, claiming it could negatively affect her performance. However, after a disappointing opening round at Le Golf National, she backtracked, attributing her poor showing to a fall in the shower and downplaying the impact of the smoking ban.

Despite the controversy, Hull remains unfazed by public opinion. "You can either hate or love social media," she says. "But you just got to use it to an advantage. People say, ‘oh, you can’t go on social media, there’s too many bad comments’."

She insists that she doesn't let negative comments get to her. "At the end of the day, if you are in the public eye, you’ve got to accept everyone’s allowed their opinion. You’re allowed a good opinion and a bad opinion [of me]. And you’ve just got to be strong-minded enough to laugh at the bad ones and think ‘fair pay’ to the good ones."

Hull's carefree attitude extends to her spending habits. A self-proclaimed fashion enthusiast, she has a wardrobe so extensive that it's been dubbed "Harrods" by her friends. She regularly treats herself to designer goods as a reward for her accomplishments, and her first professional prize money went straight towards purchasing a coveted Mulberry bag.

As Hull prepares to compete in the AIG Women's Open, the final major of the year, she remains a captivating figure on and off the course. Her unique personality and no-nonsense approach have made her a fan favourite and a symbol of authenticity in a sport often dominated by carefully crafted personas. While her methods may be unconventional, one thing is certain: Hull is determined to win, and no amount of trolling will deter her from her goals.