Charley Hull strives to match the feats of world No1 Lydia Ko

Joy Chakravarty 20:17 07/12/2015
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  • Dubai devotee: Charley Hull.

    Charley Hull is just 19 and already an Order of Merit winner on the Ladies European Tour, but she has no hesitation in admitting her admiration for the 18-year-old world No1 Lydia Ko.

    Along with 20-year-old American Lexi Thompson, and Canadian 17-year-old Brooke Henderson, Ko and Hull are just some of the youngsters who are changing the face of women’s golf.

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    Hull is currently ranked 41st in the world and ninth on the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit, having concentrated more on the LPGA Tour in the US this year where she was 48th in the Money List.

    The English player is playing the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters this week and spoke of Ko in glowing terms.

    “Yeah, Lydia is wicked.  I like her. She’s a great kid, as well,” said Hull, who finished fifth in Dubai last year en route to becoming the No1 player on the LET.

    “No, definitely, doing what she is doing that young is great. It inspires you and wants you to… not beat her, but like be as good as her.

    “But she’s a great role model for the game. She’s a role model to people that don’t even play golf because of the way she handles herself on and off the golf course.

    “Obviously, I’ve played with Lydia many times and we’ve had some great rounds.  Even this year we’ve had some great rounds. She definitely inspires me to just go out there and play golf.  She just enjoys it. It’s a lot of fun to be out there with her.”

    Dubai is close to Hull’s heart, having secured her Rookie of the Year title here in 2013, and then her Order of Merit crown last year. Now, she is hoping to win the tournament after posting two top-10 finishes.

    “I love Dubai.  It’s one of my favourite places to come in the world.  It’s good to be back and I can’t wait to get out there on the golf course this week because I really love this golf course and it’s just good fun,” she said.

    “I love it that you have to literally aim for the buildings on this golf course. There are weeks when you aim for trees, but this week is either the corner of this building or the centre of that building. And I love the greens too.

    “I’d say I have played some of my best golf this year. I have not had any wins, but I have had quite a few top-10s and played really well in America in my first year there. So, a win is missing, but hopefully, I will get it done this week.”

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