Charley Hull's near-miss at the US Women's Open is a testament to her resilience and talent, but it also highlights the fine line between success and defeat in the world of professional golf. Her aggressive approach, which almost paid off, underscores the importance of balance and strategy in the game.
Hull's performance at the Riviera Country Club was a study in contrasts. She started slowly, but then unleashed a record-equalling weekend charge, finishing just a shot behind the dominant Nelly Korda. This isn't her first brush with near-miss glory; she has a history of slow starts followed by rapid finishes, as evidenced by her joint runner-up finish at Pebble Beach three years ago. Her mantra, 'shy girls don't get sweets,' encapsulates her mindset, which is to go all-out and play free golf.
The key to Hull's success lies in her ability to improve her performance on the greens. In the first two rounds, she hit 13 of 14 fairways and totalled 63 putts, but in the final two rounds, she was 10 putts better, even with crucial misses. Her closing hole performance, especially, is a testament to her optimism and determination. Left with a must-make 10-footer, she calmly and decisively slotted a putt that, at that moment, might have been for the title.
However, it was Korda who ultimately won the day, showcasing her pragmatic approach to winning her fourth major title. She leaned heavily on her caddie, Jason McDede, to ensure she landed the title she most coveted. Korda's composure and ability to get up and down proved the difference, despite a frustrating start. Her extra height to her approach shots provided a key benefit, but it was her ability to stay patient and make those up and downs that ultimately won her the championship.
The US Women's Open is a classic test of every aspect of the game, technically and mentally. The sticky approaches and sloping putting surfaces often proved too firm to hold, making it hard to run balls onto the greens. Korda's extra height and composure proved the difference, but it also highlights the importance of balance and strategy in the game.
Hull's aggression brings the best out of her, but she would do well to embrace some of Korda's more measured qualities in future major attempts. Korda, meanwhile, can enjoy the biggest win of her stellar career to date, and it would be a shame if Hull doesn't soon follow in her footsteps, saying something similar about her own near-miss glory.
