Hull finds ‘lucky’ birdie to reignite Women’s Open title push

Charley Hull’s Women’s Open campaign at Royal Lytham and St Annes has been reignited by a decisive birdie at the par-five sixth, a moment that shifted the momentum in her favour during a pivotal second round. The English golfer struck a 7-iron to within six feet of the hole at the sixth, a hole where birdie opportunities are rare on a course that demands precision over power. That conversion, coming immediately after a bogey at the fifth, steadied her rhythm and reminded the field that she remains a genuine contender in the title race. Hull described the putt as “lucky,” a modest assessment that underplays its significance—it was the spark that turned a flat start into a competitive round of 69, a score that kept her within striking distance of the leaders.

A single stroke changes the narrative

The turnaround at the sixth was not just tactical but psychological. Before that moment, Hull had bogeyed the par-four fifth, a setback that could have derailed her round entirely. Instead, the birdie at the par-five restored her confidence and set up a finish of 69, leaving her five strokes behind overnight leader Lilia Vu, a deficit that is eminently bridgeable in women’s golf where leaderboards fluctuate with every round. The sixth hole at Royal Lytham is a deceptive stretch of the course, a par-five that tempts aggression but punishes misjudgement with its bunkered approach and undulating greens. Hull’s ability to navigate its risks with a birdie demonstrated the kind of precision that separates contenders from the chasing pack, while her recovery from the bogey at the fifth underscored the mental resilience required at championship level.

Hull’s round of 69 was built on a foundation of controlled aggression, with three birdies—including the pivotal sixth—and just two bogeys. Her approach play was particularly telling: she hit 12 of 14 greens in regulation, a figure that would have been higher had she not been forced to lay up on the par-five 13th. The English golfer’s ability to grind out a score when her ball-striking wasn’t at its peak suggests she is peaking at the right time, a crucial trait in a major championship where consistency is king.

Why the sixth hole matters

Royal Lytham’s sixth is a hole that rewards patience and punishes haste. The 529-yard par-five doglegs left around a cluster of pot bunkers, with the green protected by a front bunker that demands an exacting lay-up or a bold second shot over the trouble. Hull’s decision to go for the green with a 7-iron was a calculated risk, one that paid off when her ball landed softly on the dancefloor and rolled to within six feet. That birdie was not just a scoring stroke; it was a statement of intent, a reminder that Hull possesses the shot-making ability to compete with the best when conditions turn against her.

The psychological impact of the sixth cannot be overstated. Coming on the heels of a bogey, the birdie shifted the narrative from one of frustration to one of opportunity. It allowed Hull to play the final 13 holes with renewed belief, a mindset that translated into steady pars and a crucial birdie at the 15th. That resilience is what separates good players from major contenders, and Hull’s performance at the sixth suggests she is ready to capitalise when others falter.

What comes next

With the second round concluded, Hull will now turn her attention to the final two days, where consistency—not just flashes of brilliance—will determine her fate. The challenge ahead is clear: avoid costly mistakes while maintaining the aggression that produced the sixth-hole birdie. If she can replicate that focus, the title remains within reach, particularly with the AIG Women’s Open still wide open after a testing opening round.

For now, Hull’s “lucky” putt has done more than just salvage a round; it has reminded the field that her challenge is far from over. The Women’s Open is entering its most intense phase, and the English golfer has just issued a timely reminder of her ambitions. With the cut line likely to be around level par, Hull’s 69 keeps her firmly in contention, and her revival at the sixth signals that she is ready to pounce when the moment arrives.