Full Breakdown
Charley Hull’s Ice-Cream-Fueled Surge at the 2026 Evian Championship
7/10/2026, 6:29:59 PM
Opening Round Highlights
On Thursday, July 10, 2026, England’s Charley Hull carded a 66 (-5) to finish tied for third at the Amundi Evian Championship, held at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France. After a two-over start through six holes, Hull produced a back-nine 31, including three birdies, an eagle on the 18th and a decisive birdie-birdie-par-eagle stretch that vaulted her into contention three shots behind leader Aki Iwai (-8). The round matched Hull’s joint-lowest opening score in a major.
Tournament Context
The Evian Championship is the final major of the 2026 LPGA season, featuring a field of 132 players competing for a $9.1 million purse, up from $8 million the previous year. Defending champion Grace Kim captured the title in 2025 with a dramatic finish. The event’s early rounds have been marked by sweltering conditions that challenged many competitors.
Key Competitors
- Aki Iwai (Japan) – opened with an eight-under 64 to lead by two strokes.
- Perrine Delacour (France) – posted a six-under 66, holding solo second place.
- Nelly Korda (USA) – world No. 1, shot a three-over 74 and sits tied for 102nd, far off the lead.
Hull shares third place with Lottie Woad (England) and Cara Gainer (England), both at four-under.
Scores and Statistics
- Hull: 66 (-5), 5-under after 18 holes, 16 of 18 greens in regulation.
- Iwai: 64 (-8), bogey-free round.
- Delacour: 66 (-6).
- Field average: approximately even par, reflecting the heat-induced difficulty.
Hull’s Remarks and Media Response
In post-round interviews, Hull emphasized that the ice-cream cone she briefly held was not a performance aid. She explained that her boyfriend purchased the treat for her caddie, and she only held it while the caddie was bagging clubs. Hull credited her turnaround to confidence and a relaxed mindset, noting she “believed in herself” and “took advantage of the birdies.” Golf Channel reported that Hull smiled when asked about the ice-cream moment, reiterating that the snack was unrelated to her surge.
Criticism & Viral Speculation
Social-media clips of Hull with the ice-cream cone sparked speculation that the treat boosted her play. Analysts and fans quickly dismissed the notion, pointing to Hull’s own denial and the broader pattern of her strong back-nine performance. No formal criticism from competitors or officials was recorded.
Impact on Hull’s Major Quest
Hull’s strong start revives hopes of securing her first major title after multiple runner-up finishes at the U.S. Women’s Open (2024), AIG Women’s Open (2023), and ANA Inspiration (2014). A high finish at Evian could shift momentum heading into the season’s final events and bolster her world ranking.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I didn't eat it,” — Charley Hull
- “My boyfriend got it for my caddie, so I held it for a minute when he was putting my club in the bag!” — Charley Hull
- “I kind of just believed in myself and just kind of relaxed out there and took my time and took advantage of the birdies,” — Charley Hull
- “Very lucky to be here — it’s almost like a little holiday,” — Charley Hull
What’s Next
Hull tees off at 1:36 a.m. ET on Friday, joining Lydia Ko and Jeeno Thitikul in the featured group. The leaderboard will be updated after the second round, with the top ten players set to compete for the title and a share of the $9.1 million purse.
