Charley Hull's quick thinking and good humor recently turned a potentially embarrassing situation into a memorable, wholesome moment at Hazeltine National Golf Club.

Hull was having a prep week at the course before the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Suddenly, an elderly spectator's white cowboy hat blew away across the grass. She fetched the hat and returned it to the spectator.

The LPGA's official account later posted a video of the incident, captioning it: "Charley Hull: World No. 4, Savior of Hats #LPGALookback."

While the hat moment was sweet, it also highlighted what could become a major storyline at this week's championship: the wind, a condition that has historically favored Hull.

At the 2024 AIG Women's Open, the wind blew so hard in the morning that some players said the course was nearly unplayable.

“Don’t know how it was playable to be ­honest,” said Gemma Dryburgh after her round of 79.

Hull, however, played through it and shot a five-under-par 67 to take the lead in the first round.

“I looked out my hotel room window at 5am,” she said in an interview coverage by The Guardian. “The flags on the range told me it was blowing a gale. I was like: ‘That’s great; hope it stays like that.’”

Hull also added: “Today was definitely some of the toughest weather I’ve played in. And probably the windiest. It was such a battle. But I love those conditions, whether I play bad or not. This is a true Women’s Open. I believe this is how it should be every day.”

The English golfer, however, may not have to wait long for another stern weather test.

Hazeltine could present a similar challenge this week

During Hull's practice week, the wind was blowing at 17 mph (~28 km/h), according to The Weather Network. For the 2026 KPMG Women's PGA Championship, weather reports are predicting similar conditions.

In Thursday's opening round, winds are forecast at 15 km/h, with gusts reaching 22 km/h. Sunday's final round is expected to bring winds of 17 km/h and gusts up to 26 km/h.

At the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, Chris Gotterup's ball rolled across the green as he bent down to mark it, while Jackson Koivun's golf bag toppled over on the range, highlighting the impact strong winds can have on players and course conditions.

The KPMG Women's PGA Championship could see similar disruption.

But while many players may struggle if the wind strengthens, Hull has already shown she welcomes that challenge.

Can Charley Hull turn the forecast into an advantage at Hazeltine? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Written by

Md Saife Fida

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav