Charley Hull: The LPGA Star’s Bold Smoking Bet

By: Kevin Cunningham

March 18, 2025

Charley Hull has kicked off 2025 on a high note after a stellar season where she climbed to No. 10 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. However, it wasn’t just her impressive performance on the course that caught the public’s attention; it was her smoking habit, largely spotlighted during the previous year. This year, she’s placed a massive bet on her decision to quit smoking, drawing even more intrigue from fans and reporters alike.

Charley Hull and Cigarettes

Hull’s smoking habit gained widespread recognition during the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open when she was caught on camera lighting a cigarette while practicing on the range. This moment, where she also signed autographs for excited fans, quickly went viral, leading to mixed reactions from the golf community.

“It’s actually quite funny. All over a cigarette, I suppose.”

In her candid remarks at the U.S. Women’s Open, Hull described her unusual reason for smoking. She stated, “I was a bit stressed last year and I just kind of vaped. And I wanted to stop vaping. Even though smoking is not better than vaping, you can vape indoors all the time. I thought if I smoke, I’m going to go outside and smoke a cigarette.”

At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Hull mentioned that while it’s a habit she enjoys, she would adhere to regulations and refrain from smoking on the golf course. During a press conference in Paris, she remarked, “Yeah, I do smoke on the course. It’s a habit, but I won’t do this week. Yeah, just something I do.”

Hull’s Smoking Bet

Fast forward to March 2025, Charley Hull made headlines once again with her Instagram announcement. In a series of practice photos, she included a video where she declared her intent to quit smoking for good. To ensure she stays accountable, Hull has placed a hefty bet of $10,000 with fellow English pro Ryan Evans.

“Right. Today, I’ve made the decision I’m going to stop smoking. I’m going to give them to Ryan now,” she said, as she handed over a pack of cigarettes. “And I’m going to do a 10-grand bet with you — I get no money from it — if I pick up a cigarette in the next two months, I’ll give you 10 grand, and I’m shaking on that, deal. I promise you I won’t, and you can chuck those in the bin for me.”

This amusing yet serious wager means that if Hull smokes even one cigarette in the next two months, she will owe Evans $10,000 (around £8,000 GBP). If she refrains, she stands to gain nothing financially, aside from the benefits of improved health and well-being.

Future Implications on Performance

As Hull embarks on her journey to quit smoking, many are left wondering how this might affect her performance on the LPGA tour. Early results from 2025 are promising, with her finishing T19 and T4 in her first two events of the year, hinting at another successful season ahead.

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