Charley Hull hands Team Europe big Solheim Cup boost after little-known rule that scuppered Olympics hopes is changed

CHARLEY HULL has received a boost ahead of the Solheim Cup as she looks to help Team Europe to glory in the US.

The English star, 28, will face world No1 Nelly Korda in the opening match of this year's Solheim Cup which gets underway in Virginia on Friday.

Hull has been known to smoke while out on the course - a habit she has revealed helps with controlling her ADHD.

She claims she picked up the cigarettes in a bid to stop vaping.

However, her hopes of Olympic gold in Paris were hampered when she was banned from lighting up on the fairway.

She ended up tied for 27th place with a score of one over par.

But a smoking ban is not something she will have to contend with in the US this weekend after captain Suzann Petersen confirmed she would allow Hull to indulge on the course.

Speaking previously about how it helps her to stay composed, she said: "I do smoke on the course.

"It's a habit now, but I won't do it this week [at the Olympics], because you're not allowed to.

"I think it could affect me, because smoking relaxes me a little bit. But I’ll just have to concentrate even harder on my golf."

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She also added: "I smoke quite a few more than I should. But listen, I will stop soon."

The US have not held the Solheim Cup since Europe triumphed in Scotland in 2019.

Hull, who was a part of the Europe team that retained the Solheim Cup last year, has narrowly missed out on majors on three separate occasions.

She finished second at the 2016 Chevron Championship, 2023 US Women's Open and 2023 Women's British Open.

Her best result at a major this year came in the Women's PGA Championship where she finished tied for 16th place.

Hull dated former Geordie Shore star Gaz Beadle for a few months earlier this year before they split in June.