Charley Hull: Golfer hopes new fitness regime will lead to first major

Charley Hull finished second in the Open at Walton Heath and joint second at the US Open in 2023

England's Charley Hull hopes a change to her fitness regime will help her finally win a first major golf title.

The 27-year-old has been runner-up in three of the five majors since turning pro while still a teenager in 2013.

Her most recent tournament victory came in October and she began the new season with an encouraging seventh place in Florida last month.

"I've been working a lot on my fitness in the off-season, trying to strengthen my arms," she told BBC Look East.

"I'm that weak in my arms, I can't even do a press-up.

"There are certain things in my swing my coach wants me to work on and I need a little bit more arm strength for my backswing, so I'm working on that."

Ranked world number eight, Hull has earned several millions of dollars and Euros during her career, as well as representing Europe six times against the United States in the Solheim Cup.

She was diagnosed with "severe" attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) last year, but returned from a four-week break to finish joint second at the US Open at Pebble Beach.

And the following month, she was tied for the lead after three rounds of the Open at Walton Heath only to be outplayed by American Lilia Vu on the final day and having to settle for outright second after a 73.

Northamptonshire-born Hull returns to action at the Saudi Ladies International event in Riyadh on Thursday and is content with how the season - which includes the prospect of another Solheim Cup appearance in September - is shaping up.

"I had a good season last year and a good start in Orlando two weeks ago, playing the first event of the year. I had a tied seventh-place finish. I was just getting off the cobwebs so I was happy with that," she said.

"It's Saudi next, then Thailand, so I'm back into it and looking forward to it."

'Hit it as hard as you can'

Charley Hull won The Ascendant title by one shot in Texas in October

As part of the build-up to her return to tournament action, Hull has also taken time out for a coaching round with three competition winners from the Shires Junior Golf Tour at the John O'Gaunt Golf Club in Bedfordshire, where she used to play as a child and teenager.

"I've always got time for juniors because I was a junior once - and still think I am sometimes!" she said.

Asked about her top tips, Hull replied: "Go out there, have chipping competitions against other juniors, hit from behind trees, draw it, fade it, (play) bunker shots and hit it as hard as you can - it doesn't matter where you hit it, try to get that distance up, then when you're older you can always rein it in."

Learning from one of the world's best was certainly a memorable experience for trio of young winners.

"Some of the shots she hit were really amazing. The drive on the first hole we played was so cool - if I could hit it like that at any point in my life, I'd be so happy," said 12-year-old Caelan.

"I've never met a lady golfer - apart from my mum," added Georgia, also 12. "She gave me so many good tips. The bunker drill, you keep your left hand on your left knee and don't move that, I thought that was brilliant because I struggle in bunkers a little bit."

Ollie, 16, described playing with Hull as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity".

"Her ball striking is crazy, it's so good," he said. "It really shows why she's one of the best. All the stuff she's won, it really motivates you to become better and try to strive towards her level."

The Shires Junior Tour runs events in four counties: Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Warwickshire.

"A round of golf with one of the world's best golfers, a local golfer as well, someone who has come through the ranks in this area... It's an opportunity that doesn't happen too often," said tour secretary Steve Jackson.

"Charley was great with them. She put them at ease and knows sometimes it can be overawing playing with someone who is so good.

"But they immediately knew they were in safe hands with Charley. She gave them lots of good tips as well, which hopefully will help them in their careers."

Interviews by BBC Look East's Tom Williams