Charley Hull could have used a smoke on Thursday.
The British golfing star was shown looking exasperated throughout the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open while playing alongside Nelly Korda and Lexi Thompson.
Hull is known for playing at a brisk pace and did not seem happy at times with Thompson.
“Charley was antsy as ever to play her next shot. She was putting her club back in the bag before it even reached the apex,” a Golf.com reporter said after tracking the group on the back nine of Erin Hills.
“She was running ahead to get to her ball before anyone else could. And just generally giving us that great Charley Hull content.”
There seems to be little doubt that Hull was annoyed as play was slow on the challenging course, however, there was some question as to whether it was directed at Thompson.
Hull, 29, struggled for early parts of the round before a pair of back-nine birdies helped her finish even par.
“For context, both Hull and Korda looked visibly frustrated on the front nine as I followed along—neither was playing well,” wrote Skratch’s Addie Parker, who was covering the group.
“Hull had several poor reads, and missed putts. She’d miss crucial fairways (at Erin Hills every fairway is crucial) finding herself in bunkers… Ultimately the problem (if you want to call it one) lies in Korda and Hull being two of the fastest players on the LPGA Tour, if you put anyone with them, that third party will look slow.”
Parker further noted that there was a “very obvious dynamic” with Korda and Hull talking on the sixth tee, while Thompson talked separately with her caddie.
The group is the featured one of the first two rounds — Korda is the top player in the world, Hull rocketed to viral fame after she was seen smoking at this tournament last season (she’s since quit) and Thompson is a popular veteran who only plays occasionally.
Korda finished even par after the first round, thanks to a birdie on 18, and Thompson finished 1-over.
The trio was back on the Wisconsin course early Friday in the second round, with Korda off to a hot start to shoot her into contention.