Hull shook off post‑Solheim Cup illness and scarce practice to trail the leader by just two strokes at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.
In her first event since Europe’s Solheim Cup triumph in the Netherlands, she carded a 65, tallying seven birdies and a single bogey at Pinnacle Country Club.
The Englishwoman disclosed she battled tonsillitis during Europe’s 15‑13 win over the United States and now sits tied‑third at six under, while Japan’s Yuna Nishimura leads.
She missed two of three par‑five opportunities but bounced back after an early over‑par stretch, ripping three birdies from holes 13‑17 and adding four more in a six‑hole surge after the turn.
“I felt pretty solid,” Hull said. “It was odd—I hadn’t swung a club for five days at home because I was bedridden and felt awful. For my money, her composure proves she can thrive despite setbacks.”
“After the Solheim Cup I caught the flu and felt sick. I almost withdrew this week, thinking I wasn’t ready. My flight to the U.S. was Saturday, I handled sponsor duties through Tuesday, and arrived late Tuesday night,” she explained.
“Preparation was far from ideal, yet I arrived with no expectations. I think I hit well from tee to green and putted decently,” Hull added.
A final‑hole eagle gave Nishimura a one‑stroke edge over China’s Yu Liu, who posted a flawless 64. Hull shares the six‑under cluster with Solheim teammate Celine Boutier.
England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff surged late but two bogeys in her last three holes left her at five‑under 66, while compatriots Lottie Woad and Caley McGinty remain three strokes back.
“With only three rounds, you want a strong start and avoid dropping too many shots,” Woad said. “Hitting plenty of greens, as I did, keeps bogeys at bay.”
Mimi Rhodes opened with a four‑under 67, and Chiara Tamburlini—who narrowly missed Solheim Cup qualification—also sits four strokes behind after a low‑scoring first day.
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