Charley Hull Shoots 69 at Royal Lytham After £100,000 Fake Jackpot Prank

World No. 7 Charley Hull opened the Women's British Open with a 2-under 69 after pranking caddie Adam Woodward with a fake £100,000 scratch card.

World number seven Charley Hull carded a 2-under-par 69 during the opening round of the Women's British Open on Thursday. Competing at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, the English golfer sits in contention for a major championship she has never previously won. Her performance on the course followed a viral incident involving her caddie, Adam Woodward, whom she tricked with a fake lottery scratch card purportedly worth £100,000 ($134,000). Hull posted video evidence of the prank earlier in the week, capturing Woodward’s jubilant reaction to the perceived jackpot before revealing the deception.

Details of the £100,000 Scratch Card Prank

The prank involved a fraudulent ticket that led Woodward to believe he had secured a massive financial windfall. Hull shared the footage on social media, which initially showed the caddie celebrating the win. The video later transitioned to a still image of a less-enthused Woodward with a caption stating, "After Charley fessed up." Despite the significant emotional swing from believing he had won six figures to realizing it was a ruse, Hull maintained that her caddie found the situation humorous once the truth was revealed.

Social media users labeled the stunt as cruel and tasteless, but the 28-year-old professional dismissed the backlash following her first-round 69. She stated that Woodward is not "uptight" and characterized the event as a simple joke. Hull suggested that critics who took the matter seriously should "lighten up," noting that she felt some sympathy for "Adsy" but prioritized maintaining a positive atmosphere for the tournament week. To compensate for the trick, the golfer promised to purchase 100 real scratch cards for her caddie at the conclusion of the event.

Focus on the Women's British Open

Hull is currently utilizing a strict social media protocol to ensure her focus remains on the major championship at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. She revealed that she deletes social media applications from her phone during tournament weeks to avoid seeing tags or public comments. This strategy is intended to help her stay in the present moment as she chases her first major title. The world's seventh-ranked player noted that she only reinstalls the apps once she returns home, effectively tuning out the criticism regarding the Woodward video.

Response to Public Backlash

Addressing the negative reactions from the public, Hull remained defiant about her sense of humor. She told reporters that if people do not like her actions, they can "lump it." The English pro emphasized that the bond between her and her caddie allows for such interactions without lasting friction. Her primary objective remains a strong finish at the Women's British Open, and she reiterated that the prank was intended to be funny rather than malicious. Hull concluded her remarks by stating that those offended by the fake £100,000 jackpot were taking the situation too seriously.